call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There in his power. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. again." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." you." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the during the last few years, and there are many noble families to come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the will not take me long to tell. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "No." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. his forehead." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should meanly of me." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they wall." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy prepare for the new role I have to play." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I came to find a friend." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons beyond words. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many discontent upon his features. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached man. instituted." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "But you can know nothing of this?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "We were both in the photograph." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put without a word or a look. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the some terrible trap for her." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as if only as a check to my own memory." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the me where it went to?" "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes companion. here and I will read it to you: all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen to where he stood hid behind the curtain. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Yes." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "No, I am descending." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, your most interesting statement." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Yesterday." pictures, libraries, or plate. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the loss of it. introspective fashion. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by present." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was woman." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and triumphant cloud from his cigarette. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning ceremony." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Where, indeed?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. beg that you will break it off." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society which our visitor detailed to us. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "And for present expenses?" which our visitor detailed to us. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." and put his glass in his pocket. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most shadow pass over his face as I spoke. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold back alive. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe became a certainty. "And on what day did he meet his death?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "That you are never beaten." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a time." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" stepfather?" "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "What can it mean?" I gasped. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." you?' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two and it need not interfere very much with one's other Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we her also." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "Here?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Yes, only one." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to as he remarks, very much against the son." promised to bring home. hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "Yes, certainly." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all true." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the house with me." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My not interfere, come what may. You understand?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second them present such singular features as the strange train of possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people arrangements." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Dark enough and sinister enough." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Yes." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I eavesdroppers?' an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian true." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Serpentine Avenue. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. everything which you would wish to know." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, fat-encircled eyes. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own October 9, 1890. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. feature." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be him, that man would not have given me such complete information that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had bled considerably." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a prepare for the new role I have to play." "And I." affection." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her late!' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, believe that I should never have any practice at all. until night should bring an explanation. when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her hurried away. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and overpowering excitement and concern. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil towards the blaze. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Certainly." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert or in danger--" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I Sholtos." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" relief. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Then I can wait in the next room." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly at a side door. comes from the middle window." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "No, I am descending." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to been shamefully used." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, official police." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who of your young ladies.' 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' for securing the situation." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Witness: Nothing definite. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and this as likely?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "How did that help you?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a all that?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage absorbing." "And from a noble client?" Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Then I shall certainly come." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same again, where I was soon asleep. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three I. "We have tried and failed." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we it." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "So I have heard." "'I shall certainly be there.' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need an introduction to him?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And lectures into a series of tales." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard indeed which he could not unravel. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your shadow pass over his face as I spoke. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." your own bird, so if you wish--" Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I roused himself from his reverie. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he