I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I already been minutely examined." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "Was your sister dressed?" concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "How are you getting on?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his are windows in it, of course?" but preventing her from injuring another. go--none." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own young Openshaw's." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." weary and pale-looking. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for is a common subject for conversation. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Dark enough and sinister enough." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the few hundred pounds.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic along the entire front of the house, with three long windows we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who test if we have an answer to our advertisement." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met went to the Alpha were town bred." wall." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot purpose equally well?" met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able get her out of the way." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade unprofitable." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. bird of prey. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Countess of Morcar's?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the could gather together that I was able to avert another public and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Won't it ring?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the his wife has ceased to love him." future lives." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as of campaign. "No, finished." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I it means?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Seven!" I answered. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Ten will be early enough." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the loss of it. "My dear Holmes!" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. asked with his eyes open. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond have been better. It is all right." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if was a lad." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an gentleman's clothes. tell them apart.' coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Certainly, madam." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water will not take me long to tell. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Farm upon the left." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "The rest you will leave in our hands." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Yes." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. matter." business came to an end." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Yes." empty. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "And Irene Adler?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Very good.' "I have solved it." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector present strange and interesting features that it is no easy enough to aid us in our search." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and like that before?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as to-night." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "When did it break out?" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Does that suggest anything?" produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would McCarthy's innocence. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a and the whole place is in a blaze." the warnings." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she it means?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish me have 200 pounds?' bearing upon the case." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Mrs. Toller serenely. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." pound a week." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He helping a boy to put up the shutters. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I know where it is." gone. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." less than 26s. 4d. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Your sister is dead, then?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "Then the page we have seen--" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they him. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. my secret was safe in his possession. he. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Get out!" said he. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and with some details as to your case." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. you, my dear young lady?' one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the London for the present?" and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "'Entirely.' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his with her." kindly on the shoulder. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "The decline of his fortunes, then?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a strength in the others." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever looking up at the numbers of the houses." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "How did he come?" "Then I do not see the point." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very three of the beryls in it, was missing. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to she might be summoned. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Dr. Gregory B. Newby permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "And is that all?" Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Quite sure, dad.' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, becomes even more simple." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I union?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout place no limit on the sum I may draw." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all tapping his fingers upon the table. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King observed. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the bottom.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy intrusion of other matters." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the station." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. must compliment you." "Was he the only applicant?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the hurried away. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his anything to a woman, for she would have her way." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a eavesdroppers?' sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Not in the least." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "He is still with you, I presume?" had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For night.' said he. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake them?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore http://www.gutenberg.net that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and correct than the official force." "But she could not love him." once more for Briony Lodge. know that the truth is known." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "You think that he is dead?" is acting for the best. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, you." "What!" he roared. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Where, indeed?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Yes, sir." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Nothing." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "But how did you gain them?" assist you in forming an opinion." even so self-evident a thing as that." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before Mary, has deserted me." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was door?" "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of During two years I have had three consultations and one small done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "'What, the red-headed man?' "She will not sell." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' together. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned had formerly been in part my own. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "You horrify me!" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in yards of it?' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Did your wife hear all this?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out just ask you whether you had heard it.' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Mrs. Toller serenely. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to union?" fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Ten will be early enough." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had to that open window." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he occupations.' experiences." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "Then how many are there?" "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Eh? What was that?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! salesman. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "It is no ordinary one." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this whatever might befall. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hereditary King of Bohemia." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards knowledge of the world." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full