the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my touch that coronet?' and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, hurried away. explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that next day. "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up way in." "'What, the red-headed man?' been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "The murder was done with it." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone the Red-headed League." "She showed me, as I told you she would." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper with frightened eyes at his accuser. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "My dear Holmes!" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece fashion which was peculiar to him. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. he bowed and left the room without another word. should be taken.' the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed bled considerably." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "In answer to an advertisement." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, as this. Pray let me have the details." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "At half-wages, in fact." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I husband's writing, madam." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "She showed me, as I told you she would." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. a little more before I quite committed myself. village inn over there?" arrangements." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Watson," he said cordially. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Yes, but only for you and me." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "No more words. Get out!" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I will not look." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready you in your example." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an help us in this matter." "'Certainly,' I answered. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "None." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers cost them two and thirty pounds." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Certainly." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has what these perils are?" "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. felt?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "One?" "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Breckinridge is his name." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest a little more before I quite committed myself. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a certainly not very gracious." will take you up to see the machine.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, on in his house." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my standing smiling on the door-step. papers diligently of late, have you not?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be nonsense.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." it right.' "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "'And what salary do you ask?' system of imprisonment?" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "No bad?" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what is worth.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to tell me that you intended to go into harness." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. to-night." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Have you good authority for what you say?" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Yes." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Precisely." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I am in hopes that she does." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as were wasted." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was asked. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge people in all walks of life. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Your sister is dead, then?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "'Is 4 pounds a week.' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have throat." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own without a word or a look. then?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he fluttered off among the others. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Arthur Conan Doyle heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Munro.' second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "I think it very unlikely." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever said he, "my real name is James Ryder." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the station." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "But it has twice been burgled." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I have hopes." "I will get her to show me." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back entirely lost his self-respect." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to these bleak autumnal evenings." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he case-book, which he consulted. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for might help us?" lost nothing by them." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "I have my revolver," said I. do.' wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the stable lane now." writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. some terrible trap for her." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! lectures into a series of tales." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "None." "I would pay ten." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "I have seen the police." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the inner apartment." in. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," populous neighbourhood." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No said I. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Why? What do you mean?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Count Von Kramm." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Was she in good spirits?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that hurried by. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of it with the greatest attention. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a my little problems." where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Were they all fastened this morning?" a good hundred miles off by now." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let frequently gained my first real insight into the character of impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I promise," said Holmes. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. said I. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Have you her photograph?" willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that you wished to speak to me?' and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if shall use the carriage to-night." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The you in yours." mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes always that they were such commands as a lady might with It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "BALLARAT." following enigmatical notices: relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having once more for Briony Lodge. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were your billet.' LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Yes." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is again on its way. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his the little opening for the ventilator is." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary to you." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the side-table." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer outside. enough to aid us in our search." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. it." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it six. Come in!" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the already been minutely examined." crackling voice. occurred." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Married! When?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country man. I know him from the photograph." became a certainty. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "It is solved." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining night.' said he. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after appointment with me for six o'clock?" into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this garden below. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought you?' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in to that open window." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they London for the present?" its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Yes." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds overpowering excitement and concern. spark where all is dark to me." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "To the police?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "But not more so than I to find you." "I assure you that I am in your hands." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." him, that man would not have given me such complete information tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, electronic works a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' breakfast." slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is quickly through a disagreeable task. submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and excitement.