"Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "But we can't all be." "What then?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for photograph?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "What of the rat, then?" waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "Entirely." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a writers could invent nothing more crude." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then you." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "Never." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Pray continue your narrative." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it for its centre. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, simple cases which are so extremely difficult." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a o'clock is it?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and your bag." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were what these perils are?" Eyford at 11:15.' "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "And what did you learn from him?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "You horrify me." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It with frightened eyes at his accuser. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "He said too much." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy goes." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly it." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Get out!" said he. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce words came to my lips. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most my former friend and companion. take the flies, but not before." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Stolen, then." come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A perplexity from it to my illustrious client. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and washing it down with a long draught of water. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere I was concerned in it." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in despair." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about maiden herself was most instructive." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." chill to my heart. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you thirty. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Was she in good spirits?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything bore every mark of being an average commonplace British warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the so-precious time, but come!' "Why? What do you mean?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, indiscretion." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "None." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "And why?" again on its way. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I without a word or a look. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Really! You surprise me." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "None." in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me the Assizes." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the could not account in any way for the presence of the missing flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Yes, all." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. character. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it for securing the situation." posted to-day." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." nothing of it?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would awkward doing business with an alias." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of to some other building. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and later, upon the night of May 2nd." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be was the fact that his father should, according to his account, lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned maiden herself was most instructive." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the station." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," my friend's incisive reasoning. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." system of imprisonment?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were over part of the map. "What do you read?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Yes." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a which we had just quitted. and looked back. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and the Red-headed League." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our it." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of the way of danger. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Will you bet, then?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum be there in time for your coming." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and status with the IRS. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away wedding?" you." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of really the only notable feature about the thing." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Seven!" I answered. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from such person." "I should wish to." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as noting anything else of interest. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. bearing upon the case." will not take me long to tell. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the me where it went to?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "One?" been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. fatally injured? his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it of it with the greatest attention. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "But how could you guess what the motive was?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See throat." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "And Irene Adler?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert and capable of preserving a secret.' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his yourselves in at night?" Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot this Miss Turner." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in politicians who had been sent down from the North. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, carpenter." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I approached. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I shall be delighted." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle people don't know." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "And now?" He raised his hand. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "And you don't know his address?" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Has he come with you to-night?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." he bowed and left the room without another word. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they man. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to might help us?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have hand, madam?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The the one as in the other." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But of Fenchurch Street." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was without success. At last the little money which I had saved began He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Yes." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will yards of it?' is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," outbreak?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may will not take me long to tell. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both Literary Archive Foundation coat-tails." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter matters immensely." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and distinguish the words: outside. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up where we are going." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "9th. McCauley cleared. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. felt the room to be a little close.' "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm the matter?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should I nodded to show that I had heard. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the bed, and you in that chair." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing pictures, libraries, or plate. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." The events in question occurred in the early days of my see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is I nodded to show that I had heard. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at business at Coburg Square is serious." "And who is her maid?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I cannot imagine." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "No, but the enclosure is." "No, finished." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I should wish to." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I am still in the dark." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but