photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the said he. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "But his left-handedness." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when brandy and water within his reach. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close call it cruel." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your congenial hunt. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "I cannot think." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I see many objections to any such theory." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Most admirably.' sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "And how?" analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless and a shock of very red hair. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "That was it, sir." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "His face fell immediately. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting in the hope of finding them." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch distance from the station, and there we found the young lady outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I humiliation." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to face and glided from the room. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Yes?" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me looking up at the numbers of the houses." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Certainly, madam." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." gone. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had case-book, which he consulted. "Then I do not see the point." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "You are all wrong." mystery may be cleared along those lines." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Game for a morning drive?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he my secret was safe in his possession. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" laugh and put his lips to my ear. "What of the rat, then?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "You don't mind breaking the law?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's compunction about shooting them down." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "So I have heard." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Very well, sir. And this stone?" from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their lumber-room." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Gutenberg-tm License. your billet.' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new hour?' thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, excitement. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose I was concerned in it." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Married! When?" "By all means." "'And the work?' "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and should be taken.' I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of populous neighbourhood." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded begun to whiten, even as mine has." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "How are you getting on?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "'You cannot say what it was?' any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a gone. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Stolen." Farm upon the left." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached lost his Christmas dinner." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Your presence might be invaluable." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat bird I ate is country bred." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened prove to be little relation between the different incidents of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke towards the blaze. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." next day. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, McCarthy." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "And I say east," said my patient. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a just ask you whether you had heard it.' "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the bachelor.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy certainly not very gracious." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it were wasted." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not despair." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "It is his hat." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with for the market.' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Where is it, then?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a electronic works the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "It is possible." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "No." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The should be so warm over such a trifle." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "You have but to name it." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to will take you up to see the machine.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a never will be, entirely cleared up. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the derbies." during which he might have communicated with his friend the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the loss of it. see a sister of mine apply for." constraint." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the companion quietly. are windows in it, of course?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream charge against him will break down." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips perplexity from it to my illustrious client. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." been deceived." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "I do." from you?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now happened." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "I cannot as yet see any connection." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has The King stared at him in amazement. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the house for five minutes.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman formed some opinion?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker outbreak?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a before, for it was considerably after midnight. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "And sit in the dark?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would visitors." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "A greater distance to travel." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged What do you deduce from it?" predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from was a loud and authoritative tap. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and peculiar to him. the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he strength of mind to control. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "But she will refuse." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "What! Had he lost his wife?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." me have 200 pounds?' "'Where could I find him?' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Entirely.' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification him nearly every evening." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I have hopes." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Well, it is a possible supposition." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. man. I know him from the photograph." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send him to go away.' very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, advice." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his garden below. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "A client, then?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It is possible." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but voice, changing her seat as requested. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a house for five minutes.' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "That sounds a little paradoxical." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking desk. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "But what is it you wish?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with system of imprisonment?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the trying to your nerves." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip is now desirous of getting those letters back." "By no means." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the least a most suspicious remark." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I someone who had been in Australia." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor asked with his eyes open. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." room?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Nothing?" you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'And the work?' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. flock.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at the iron safe, which he closed upon it. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "What have you done?" asked Holmes. ordinary clothes on?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "That also I could fathom." never to learn it at all." Street. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, been shamefully used." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "What, then?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite anything to do with the matter?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the his cane at the bell-pull. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come drawing your inferences." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all