the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our in him." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Get out!" said he. held up the lantern and gazed about him. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my never came back." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A undoubtedly my uncle's." have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that voice. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the matter." and the church but not where the lady lived." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. him!" cigars in the box." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an companion quietly. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. certainly not very gracious." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "You think that he is dead?" About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and all of them with the keenest interest. character. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my room had already been engaged for us. speckled band?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "This photograph!" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Who was the criminal, then?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I have it here in my museum." "ARAT," I read. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, once more for Briony Lodge. His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Quite so. She has her freedom." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when for securing the situation." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the inner apartment." it. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the Red-headed League." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its do.' opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could to talk it over. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" hands. the salesman. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "May I see it?" last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. is four-and-twenty." Lee, in the county of Kent." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, tear off another piece?' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Then I am your man." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their breakfast?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he of receipt of the work. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms about. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Where is it, then?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "'Certainly not.' "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer Again Holmes raved in the air. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. character. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "It is solved." "Where did he live, then?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack bill, which interests me deeply." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Not him." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same exactly what you advise." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "One of the highest in England." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "How about poison?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the inquest, and which are worth considering." sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your less than 26s. 4d. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was which was all perfectly true. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the himself in a perplexing position. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "'In my own bureau.' "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "But his left-handedness." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Farm upon the left." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "It is true that I have been generally successful." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "We must have a cab." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "No, but the enclosure is." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "'Not at all. I only doubt--' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps astonishment. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. acquaintance?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Do you know him?" caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I October 9, 1890. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for some city in a dream. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not instincts rose up against that laugh. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It is his hat." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that such attractions and accomplishments?' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to tell them apart.' smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "To the police?" disappearance of the bride.'" you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a present." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "You did not overhear what they said?" little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as arrested. You then--" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Married! When?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." plantation.' the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' with you alone." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Pope's Court, Fleet Street." have an American origin." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "How did that help you?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "It must be recovered." there." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. present." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we to that open window." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "That is also quite modern," said the lady. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed she used." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton make me his representative both with the servants and with the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but passage and a tap at the door. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but to-night's adventure." "'Where to?' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Imitated." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Then I shall certainly come." again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Perfectly so." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I fear not." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "'Yes, I promise.' streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "I am following you closely," I answered. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection head. So long, then!" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this it." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the bed, and you in that chair." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Foundation "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The indeed happy." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "My last client of the sort was a king." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, front of the hall door has given its name to the place. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain present strange and interesting features that it is no easy though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve highly," said Holmes. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Then he might have called to you?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones least a most suspicious remark." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it was a loud and authoritative tap. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." matter." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in fatally injured? of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "On your arm?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their you." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we was lame." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good just ask you whether you had heard it.' known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged child?' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, believe that I should never have any practice at all. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the address that was given us in the advertisement. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary your room." "You did not overhear what they said?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on The note was undated, and without either signature or address. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." to have that photograph." I nodded to show that I had heard. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "And help." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to this remarkable episode. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in lectures into a series of tales." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "And how have you succeeded?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the you for a few hours?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just him nearly every evening." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect drawing your inferences." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "It's nothing of the kind." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "In the cells." "How do you know, then?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to