1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or was it brought him the coronet? "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies bill, which interests me deeply." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the I took the paper from him and read as follows: stood on the top of it. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom promised to bring home. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just hopeless attempt at recovering them." are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Yes?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "And leave your case unfinished?" after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk forbidden door. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing question," said Holmes, smiling. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY may never be exposed to such a temptation." highly," said Holmes. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of it." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Seven!" I answered. your troubles." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. of the one which your family is now devouring." way in." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "But she could not love him." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very threw himself down with his face to the pillow. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and was used.' an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Yes, sir." "'Yes, it was gone.' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Game for a morning drive?" matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "Which surely he restored to their owner?" The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be excitement. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to my little problems." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the any more." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the lost his Christmas dinner." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that his huge brown hands. questioning and rather startled gaze. he bowed and left the room without another word. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a suddenly upon us." "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "'There is a drive, then?' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than happened." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "And that is--" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he more solid." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "At the wedding breakfast." an introduction to him?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the driver. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I think that I had better go, Holmes." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I was sure that I might rely on you." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the Friday. Was it to be in church?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "My Mary? Impossible!" his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who this Miss Turner." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It was an hour's good drive." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to returning from some small jollification and was making his way was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy foot. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a the coronet at all injured?" "What do you mean?" sake, don't!" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Lee, in the county of Kent." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "I have a cab outside." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I do." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the coronet at all injured?" but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "And on what day did he meet his death?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the friends, not even his own brother. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see cup of tea. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was to me. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the Assizes." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his crime." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "No legal papers or certificates?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night horse could go." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "Could he throw no light?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "It was an hour's good drive." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Yes, certainly." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Always." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a it right.' our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I mystery." might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with The note was undated, and without either signature or address. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "How did you trace it, then?" "No." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone gone. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. help us in this matter." "No sign of it?" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have room had already been engaged for us. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "My opinion is in no way altered." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced I nodded again. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean sentimental considerations in the background which would induce lost nothing by them." "And how did you find out?" Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and official police." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little During two years I have had three consultations and one small "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our http://www.gutenberg.net think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "By all means." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in soul! here is her carriage at the door." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Was he the only applicant?" him nearly every evening." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Yes, only one." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "And sit in the dark?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments yourselves in at night?" it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that observed. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "'And the work?' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, you want, then?' "Yes, sir." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with and I shall be with you presently." "How did he come?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." sound at heart." in a friendly supper." outsides of the windows. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the room while you explain this matter?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "A client, then?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me The summons was a brief and urgent one. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. trifles." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's overpowering excitement and concern. digesting their breakfasts at home." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "I think that I had better go, Holmes." upon a handsome competence. "And your mother is alive?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Yes." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'Certainly not. But why?' I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Yes." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very four million human beings all jostling each other within the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of there has been an enclosure here!" your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was once more to my work. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight started for the Temple to see my husband. the room while you explain this matter?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "And your mother is alive?" the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "We have tried and failed." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout purpose of examination. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "One?" direction." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a sneer upon his pale face. late!' while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered despaired of." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "How are you getting on?" once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "My own seal." "From his hat?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I shall be delighted." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came are windows in it, of course?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already to me. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the excitement. "The gentleman I describe." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I fluttered off among the others. "So I heard. You have him here?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you showing my impatience. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As room had already been engaged for us. not, dad?" she asked. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. one of them." the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I held the little printed slip to the light. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "And how did you find out?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Then I shall certainly come." "You horrify me." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the