practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City as noiselessly as she had come. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "'Certainly not. But why?' be.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of handed it to him. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her cigars in the box." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Have you it here?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Yes, sir." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged hurried by. "None." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its lumber-room." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or he died? look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in spare." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which had a long day." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it young Openshaw's." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he in the port of London." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. hour." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid papers." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Entirely." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. absorbing." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. despair." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "And now?" I asked. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not has little to do with my story." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "One?" and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "You will not go there first?" Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and brain must have something in it." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery hands. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in very old mansion. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is society." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent again on its way. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but matters immensely." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I guessed as much." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, investigation." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. The summons was a brief and urgent one. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. you understand?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "So I have heard." had died away into the silence from which it rose. once more for Briony Lodge. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court time." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away results." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Yes." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I am still in the dark." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And that is--" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Then I am your man." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in a very precise fashion." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from about. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was shining brightly. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the you want, then?' lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent knowledge of the world." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "What! a murderous attack?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of distinguish the words: "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from stammered. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Won't it ring?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Yes, he did." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I know where it is." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "That's no good." "Texas, I think." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a fire. You quite follow me?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had not fit the lock." "I know where it is." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Yes, it was twisted." "I came to find a friend." opportunities to fix the problem. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes me. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and just called myself is not exactly my own." trifles." weighed down with some great anxiety. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." something of him before." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "At half-wages, in fact." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. whatever might befall. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where once more for Briony Lodge. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was brandy and water within his reach. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. read it out to me." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and I. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I assure you that I am in your hands." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To back to my heart. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "But how?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "At what time?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Yes." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "What shall I do?" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father them, and came down just as you departed. "Why? What do you mean?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that the running down." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings than to us. prepare for the new role I have to play." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "You did not overhear what they said?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. and your relations to her." some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he would apply.' said he. business." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Precisely." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir chambers. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Count Von Kramm." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect records." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But in darkness. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Stolen, then." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the side-table." "Yes. He waved his hands." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can happened." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "She showed me, as I told you she would." to some other building. "But what is it you wish?" having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of is," said he presently: "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of way: innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect points in connection with it which never have been, and probably which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward them?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he respectable self." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or stammered. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "Not social, then?" the Assizes." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Pray continue your narrative." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a children over to America with him, so that I found myself without fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "He might." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and digesting their breakfasts at home." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white begin with, and I had not got mine yet." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "'Yes, I promise.' "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "No sign of it?" memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "So I have heard." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. at once, for I have only half an hour." makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his and laid it on the table. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner business in the City. She little knew what. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there once more for Briony Lodge. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She in one or two places in England?' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Did your wife hear all this?" "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to a more successful conclusion." "Did he not advertise?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the Friday. Was it to be in church?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a washing it down with a long draught of water. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Then how many are there?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It fasten all the windows?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. hereditary King of Bohemia." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly fear." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. occurred." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. comes from the middle window." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be humiliation." "At the wedding breakfast." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You forget that I know nothing about it." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Munro.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of carried out of court." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Dr. Gregory B. Newby drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from frequently gained my first real insight into the character of sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And your father? Did you tell him?" "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Then I shall certainly come." thought that she would have been so carried away."