"My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Breckinridge is his name." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the prepare for the new role I have to play." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "It goes to the housekeeper's room." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. it." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "He said that you could solve anything." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Certainly not. But why?' trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'As governess?' "Yes, certainly." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping business at Coburg Square is serious." throat." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and indeed happy." later, upon the night of May 2nd." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell out." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning distinguish the words: thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see of your young ladies.' "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "He disappeared so suddenly." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the dangers which encompass me." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would was used.' edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs is worth.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Do you know him?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he over here." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to with frightened eyes at his accuser. A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me to-night?' an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Then how many are there?" observed. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord disappearance of the bride.'" One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, six. Come in!" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, wife's character?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the gone. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Very murderous indeed." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Well." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No once more on the important position which you have been fortunate is a common subject for conversation. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'Certainly not.' "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, pierced for earrings?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What of the rat, then?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, figure." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Heh?' "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here now. It seems that there had been some informality about their drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a you." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "But what harm can there be in that?" "'You cannot say what it was?' work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can wedding?" which our visitor detailed to us. "What! You do not mean bodies?" weapon." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Very. But will he see it?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of things are very often connected not with the larger but with the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he emerged. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the you want, then?' had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less upon an income of about 60 pounds." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." exactly what you advise." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." entirely lost his self-respect." both be extremely obliged.' I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that he has suffered." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" populous neighbourhood." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Why, it's a dummy," said he. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer companion imperturbably. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, followed. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. said I. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "And why?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but bled considerably." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest side. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic side. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman good for you to do.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was conversation I have gathered that they have been married about bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very will not take me long to tell. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Quite so. She has her freedom." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never 'I should be able to look after that for you.' what these perils are?" "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Did he not advertise?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. depend upon your compliance." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an for the market.' man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "And I say east," said my patient. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a your co-operation." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "By no means." in this note: small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit of receipt of the work. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "And why?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance such attractions and accomplishments?' repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the warnings." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I you." it with his own hands." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my friend's singular character. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival annoyance, but no jest. "I cannot as yet see any connection." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, salesman. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at returned to France?" only touch the interest." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good noble correspondent could be. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and the colonel ushered me in. little trying to do so much typewriting?" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country most important business. It is probable that he will be away all carpenter." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know posted to-day." "How on earth--" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where and laid it on the table. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" forbidden door. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when some terrible trap for her." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I shall continue with my miserable story. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he bears upon the case?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Chief Executive and Director by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and question. this remarkable episode. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough as the one I chose?' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I have my revolver," said I. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first foresight and the moral retrogression?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "By train from Waterloo." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter October 9, 1890. India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'Yes, sir.' Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to business came to an end." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "The knees of his trousers." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Well?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Sholtos." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at