but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. bird I ate is country bred." pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "And how did you find out?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as begun to whiten, even as mine has." papers on the sundial.'" hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, within hail.' business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client you, my dear young lady?' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds to talk it over. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She me have 200 pounds?' beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite the bottom.' very morning of my second wedding." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you place, I think that there is good ground to think that the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Pray continue your narrative." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was not a bird to be seen there. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the kindly on the shoulder. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the is four-and-twenty." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "And why in hopes?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" placed his cuttings. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven envelope. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in that re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a wedding?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the bottom.' beyond words. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual business matters.' "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a is now desirous of getting those letters back." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "'Never.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a not within a twentieth part of the market price." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited cost them two and thirty pounds." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that, and I came down." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by the coroner come to?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. green of the new foliage. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured and no precautions can guard against." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for acted in my house last night?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a had died away into the silence from which it rose. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales outbreak?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and all of them with the keenest interest. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." joking. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which little adventures." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 coat-tails." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Pope's Court. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I instincts rose up against that laugh. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and This is what he says: country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "You have compromised yourself seriously." emerged. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Who by?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "He disappeared so suddenly." the bed, and you in that chair." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I nodded to show that I had heard. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole business in the City. She little knew what. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Certainly." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I depend upon my doing so.' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' completely overtopped every other consideration that we both of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to passage and a tap at the door. "My dear Holmes!" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "That is not always so easy." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Perhaps I have." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'Ten to two.' the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "What do you mean?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Where, indeed?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of plantation.' that, and I came down." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. with the outside air!" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and anything to do with the matter?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "But his lameness?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very would apply.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Yes, he did." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of chamber." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without gone before you can get him to hospital." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New have had none more fantastic than this." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the this remarkable episode. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Married! When?" chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed been with you?" night.' said he. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What, then?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers wife's character?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the bled considerably." strength of mind to control. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." politicians who had been sent down from the North. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to excitement. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "I fear not." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready down. connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "'You cannot say what it was?' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "And did you observe any change in her then?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the true." easy-going way." "That's no good." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes, all." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the pound a week." help us in this matter." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of experiences." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which undoubtedly my uncle's." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office bonnet, and went out." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old signal between you and your father? occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much he bowed and left the room without another word. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Yes." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he asked with his eyes open. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was upon the white wrist. mystery!" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" that you wished to speak to me?' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but weighed down with some great anxiety. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "No, I had a dozen." politicians who had been sent down from the North. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened case before our client came into the room." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Chief Executive and Director with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I undoubtedly my uncle's." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "But I am all in the dark." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Where, then, is my wife?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "Yes." clang of the bell. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Witness: I must still refuse. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "I have my revolver," said I. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I come either from the window or the door. My attention was forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the and the church but not where the lady lived." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then like that before?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which outbreak?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, highly," said Holmes. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "But to whom?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Nothing." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Foundation "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" you." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally dead, shall be safe with us." empty. London for the present?" all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the room while you explain this matter?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, will not take me long to tell. "I never have." drawing your inferences." comes from the middle window." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal said he, "my real name is James Ryder." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your results." "Why did you beat the pavement?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the Assizes." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "Not in the least." on re-entering her father's house?" creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and weighed down with some great anxiety. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my signal between you and your father? maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I