of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Mary, has deserted me." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Do you know him?" By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hardly wander." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to might help us?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something felt?" families. Now for the facts. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others six. Come in!" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have went to the Alpha were town bred." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these said he. it." 1.F. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much how narrow had been my escape. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "What! You do not mean bodies?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of them has the shutters up.' unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "You forget that I know nothing about it." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in o'clock is it?" estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "How are you getting on?" "Won't it ring?" you." than to us. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Countess of Morcar's?" harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "I am to be neutral?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in without a word or a look. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "There are none." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an weary and pale-looking. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, purpose of examination. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible imbecility!" he cried. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the hopeless attempt at recovering them." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "You were travelling in the States?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and a shock of very red hair. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and evidence," I remarked. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What yards of it?' comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" into the room. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital at home. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Does that suggest anything?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Awake, Watson?" he asked. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "No more words. Get out!" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, matter." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter girl said." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the such person." off." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the running down." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "How can you tell that?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the goes." "Thank you. Pray proceed." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him and glanced through. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to all that?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If Heh?' Pope's Court. "My photograph." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "But not more so than I to find you." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. exactly what you advise." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his more terrible than the truth. putting in the horse. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having letters?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Was he the only applicant?" thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement over with notes and figures. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "No sign of it?" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall keep the flames under. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Will you go?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife upon the sideboard." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer writer." it." danger is over." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Yes, I have one waiting." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I came to find a friend." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Yes.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the at a side door. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though you in yours." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you papers diligently of late, have you not?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Does that suggest anything?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." nice household for a young lady." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be forbidden door. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at touch that coronet?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Gutenberg-tm License. empty. "If I can be of use." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Come in!" said he. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Your sister is dead, then?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "What will you do, then?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage nights." was feeling which was the fattest.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian things are very often connected not with the larger but with the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. new duties?' "Yes, the wine-cellar." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one of Mr. Rucastle's." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything entirely devoid of interest." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an this man was intellectual?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads highly," said Holmes. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has was not a bird to be seen there. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "I am armed." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign there!' ready to-morrow?' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic likely to be some crony of the landlady's." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could closing the door. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Never to return." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is mystery." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his again on its way. "Quite so. She has her freedom." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "What have you done?" asked Holmes. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying not personally threatened." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." this remarkable episode. "What?" glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who be.' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Seven!" I answered. "'And the work?' open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a vanished into the darkness. the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Then, as to money?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." has little to do with my story." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Texas, I think." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated American. Then who could this American be, and why should he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. attention." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some back into the street. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must that you can jump it.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and a shock of very red hair. the house with me." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between furiously. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in imbecility!" he cried. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across him." "In which, sir?" it with his own hands." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the important." and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that conversation I have gathered that they have been married about It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End bled considerably." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than from you?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "At the wedding breakfast." "And how have you succeeded?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "And the cigar-holder?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "The murder was done with it." "What, then?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the