Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were narrative." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. do.' "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in information in his hands the value of which he did not himself secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "No." less than 26s. 4d. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in during that time.' "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who troubles have been weighing upon his mind. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But not more so than I to find you." with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Did your wife hear all this?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we States. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Pray do so." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" his grey eyes. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'What are you doing there?' he asked. fatally injured? Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced we went to search for him, face downward in a little stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more most interesting one." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'Which dealer's?' his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Do you receive much company?" he asked. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a my friend's incisive reasoning. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Then I am your man." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. outbreak?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. them?" trifles." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "And I say east," said my patient. "You think so, too?" "'Quite sure, dad.' against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, distinguish the words: possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I is four-and-twenty." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl all-comprehensive glances. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "He said that you could solve anything." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, think you a quite exceptional woman." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "That is easily got." to miss it." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." conclusions. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I have my revolver," said I. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying back alive. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at system of imprisonment?" "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the important." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the roots. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the mysterious business." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Nothing." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go lectures into a series of tales." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming leaning back in his chair. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "No bad?" "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present there in twenty minutes." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my chance at all." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, bonnet, and went out." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and place of silver." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fait accompli?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, eat it." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the redistribution. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside asked. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were back into the street. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with politicians who had been sent down from the North. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Yes, sir." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something a little more before I quite committed myself. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same chill to my heart. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." Stoke Moran." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been with you?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'Yes.' Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my emerged. interests were the same as his." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Then I can wait in the next room." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Then I am your man." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he overpowering excitement and concern. brandy and water within his reach. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through to me. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and taking in every detail of the apartment. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "I think that it is very probable." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" my special province." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting shoulder. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "When did she vanish, then?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. the matter." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the your equipment. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "We must have a cab." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" gigantic client. fuss that is made over them." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at It may be so in this case, also." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who eat it." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they hair?' an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I a monotonous occupation." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "10th. John Swain cleared. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the it. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. to take care of herself." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yesterday." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Awake, Watson?" he asked. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the nursery. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the she used." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my in the port of London." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the woman." round with crates and massive boxes. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "It came here." fasten all the windows?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "'Most admirably.' young Openshaw's." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. pictures, libraries, or plate. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the congratulate you again." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between The events in question occurred in the early days of my during the last few years, and there are many noble families to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Always." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little it were putty." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." house for five minutes.' There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no observed. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. to miss it." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "One?" "What then?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the loss of it. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Why did you pick him?" "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "I cannot say that I have." "Absolutely none." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Then how many are there?" said Mr. Holder. "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three less than 26s. 4d. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have handed it to him. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Then the page we have seen--" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular south, for the country is more deserted there." cigars in the box." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." and the whole place is in a blaze." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into and all of them with the keenest interest. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were highroad, where all traces were lost. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Mary, has deserted me." "What will you do, then?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt extraordinary contortions. "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "By no means." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in followed. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "Nearly eleven." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a on re-entering her father's house?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the ceiling. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. crime. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has meant it for the best. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The interest. They are important, you understand, without being with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Have you good authority for what you say?" "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then