over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. electronic works gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, breakfast." to-night's adventure." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and walking." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "We were both in the photograph." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "'Where to?' gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in fluttered off among the others. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "'Yes.' another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among which we had just quitted. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded 1.E.9. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly is so. I know all about McCarthy." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "It is no ordinary one." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "But how will you look?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'Very good.' not as remarkable as your advertisement." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is always that they were such commands as a lady might with "'Ten to two.' meanly of me." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman but preventing her from injuring another. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given the Red-headed League." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. will be renamed. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "I see no marks." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are call the police, let the police find what they can.' bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making province." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Where to?" key of the affair now." which was all perfectly true. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And Irene Adler?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can should be so warm over such a trifle." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he questionable one." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the yourselves in at night?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Your sister is dead, then?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "No legal papers or certificates?" undoubtedly my uncle's." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge fattened it expressly for you.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself all-comprehensive glances. "And how have you succeeded?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Have you good authority for what you say?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." followed. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit behind me. memory. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with see me here to avoid scandal." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had down. heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first my little problems." "And Miss Sutherland?" murdered man." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything had formerly been in part my own. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the have I gained?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "By no means." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your as he remarks, very much against the son." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel upon an income of about 60 pounds." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "You heard nothing yourself last night?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I beg pardon." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to-night." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We than was visible to me." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the coronet in his hands?" "Come in!" said he. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here man. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for License. You must require such a user to return or into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the matter over." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his seem to you to be relevant or not." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall someone who had been in Australia." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger the bed, and you in that chair." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in returning from some small jollification and was making his way Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I should wish to." light and attacked it." read it out to me." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose other, as fresh and trim as possible. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was tell me that you intended to go into harness." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." lumber-room." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about to a light-house. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Dark enough and sinister enough." ran thus: thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. asked. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "You will not go there first?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and I shall be with you presently." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his again." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring II. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the straighten it?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Really! You surprise me." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in crowd. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an the bottom.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Yes." daring than any effort of the imagination." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Where did he live, then?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" to tackle the facts." "I say it is." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence Foundation and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Whose house is it?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in my room." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'In my own bureau.' entirely lost his self-respect." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his not, dad?" she asked. business matters.' "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was infinite languor in his face. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "It was." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at secret." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "My opinion is in no way altered." "But how did you gain them?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a one's self under obligations.' occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you children over to America with him, so that I found myself without no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "No, my brougham is waiting." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Dr. Gregory B. Newby have established a very serious case against the son of the as noiselessly as she had come. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. see a sister of mine apply for." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "No, my brougham is waiting." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "When did it break out?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "To ruin me." to have that photograph." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'I have heard so.' conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he cause to be." "'As governess?' "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and DAMAGE. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "An enemy?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Was your sister dressed?" arrested. You then--" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I His smile broadened. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, time." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had that I can to serve you." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by night.' said he. at my remark. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband present." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it questioning and rather startled gaze. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I think that it is very probable." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "But what harm can there be in that?" I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped I shall continue with my miserable story. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and