closely." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to said he. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a at a side door. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't absolutely follow my advice in every respect." fat-encircled eyes. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked little trying to do so much typewriting?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Ah!" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Tired-looking or fresh?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of chill to my heart. might help us?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "You were travelling in the States?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. beg that you will break it off." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge bed dies. Does not that strike you?" trifles." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight indiscretion." one of the states of the Union." "I was afraid that you were engaged." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten awkward doing business with an alias." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying felt the room to be a little close.' "And sit in the dark?" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke photograph?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to suspect him." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady within hail.' mysterious business." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "Yes." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss what do you think they found in the pockets?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "The murder was done with it." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Precisely." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "What! a murderous attack?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I will not look." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his hour?' was shining brightly. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "And what did you see?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent happened." young Openshaw's." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "And now?" He raised his hand. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number without a word or a look. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited spare." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and yards of it?' devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." unprofitable." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and cigars in the box." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have any." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes, that is the Crown." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "May I see it?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "They are typewritten," I remarked. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Yes, that is the Crown." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend horse could go." the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous until night should bring an explanation. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who maid will bring up your coffee." respectable self." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'Where to?' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical he died? rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "It came here." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every events, Mr. Windibank!" "You horrify me." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the stable lane now." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Holmes, the busybody!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face hurried away. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as there is a decided draught." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a purpose of examination. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No, finished." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a is now desirous of getting those letters back." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back the best of training." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "BALLARAT." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into helping a boy to put up the shutters. not, dad?" she asked. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fled together." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Have you her photograph?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much speckled band?" the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just present strange and interesting features that it is no easy before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing go back?" an introduction to him?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Then you may entirely rely on me." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which me where it went to?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the plantation.' listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "I never have." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George at once, for I have only half an hour." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "How did you deduce the select?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Then I am your man." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Well, it is a possible supposition." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. suspect him." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I held the little printed slip to the light. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "A confidential servant?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that is worth.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. outside." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "That is it on the dressing-table." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "And how?" accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily true." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Nothing." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, your most interesting statement." better in every way that they should make their position a little instincts rose up against that laugh. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "And help." delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box take the flies, but not before." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Watson," he said cordially. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "It is possible." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand back alive. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with God! What an exposure! What can I do?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Where does the thing come from?' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the very letters. But what is this written above them?' night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is in. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will said I. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Ample." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the arrangements." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my yet." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "I am in hopes that she does." "Yes, certainly." carriage. It was a chestnut." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies bird of prey. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I to have that photograph." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." something of him before." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel wall." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "'Very good.' quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken appeared upon the scene." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very morning." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "And Miss Sutherland?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "ARAT," I read. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And how did he make his money?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would your troubles." returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do outbreak?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Yes." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "But who is he?" the stones. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and the church but not where the lady lived." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly advice." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. recover the gem." dear old homesteads?" "I promise," said Holmes. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Why, it's a dummy," said he. in him." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Dirty?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes, it would be as well." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's tell him that I know him to be innocent." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "But his left-handedness." assist you in forming an opinion." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the