shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and respectable self." "I cannot tell." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the attention." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "Yes." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or unclasping of his long thin hands. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The the armchair which I pushed forward for him. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to have been novel and of interest." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and capable of preserving a secret.' the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "How did you deduce the select?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step and files of the old papers, following the future career of every quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. disappearance of these gems?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Which are?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, chance at all." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "'And the work?' returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to yet." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner be there in time for your coming." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yesterday." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he chill to my heart. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet or other trace. But how on earth--" been with you?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that believe that I should never have any practice at all. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to me. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A feature." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "BALLARAT." depend upon my doing so.' "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no away to you." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "'I have heard so.' crime." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on breakfast." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall straightened it out again. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: until night should bring an explanation. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing she to prove their authenticity?" "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "I cannot tell." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "My dear Holmes!" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was yet." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself to tell." the warnings." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and compunction about shooting them down." chemical work which was so dear to him. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of forebodings. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "The Cedars?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." seen the man in the road." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you or other trace. But how on earth--" other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the on in his house." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "But not more so than I to find you." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Do you know him?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for skylight. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my photograph?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a subject to the trademark license, especially commercial which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have gentleman's clothes. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have in the dead of the night?' description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your excitement. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But how?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out this truth that in these little records of our cases which you vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And help." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "And that is--" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for just called myself is not exactly my own." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "None." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Watson," he said cordially. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished opportunities to fix the problem. shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "He said that you could solve anything." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I say it is." relief. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. papers must be those that are destroyed.' as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If even of instruction." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Yes, the wine-cellar." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Have you her photograph?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money bare slabs of marble. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Yes. He waved his hands." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." less than 26s. 4d. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Yes, sir." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left and the colonel ushered me in. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" are windows in it, of course?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a bedroom door." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at highly," said Holmes. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Her father is very rich?" "Here?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than rooms." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Nothing." "I cannot imagine." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since problems help me to do so." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "In San Francisco, a year ago." "'In my own bureau.' superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking During two years I have had three consultations and one small were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "I was sure that I might rely on you." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Come in!" said he. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "That sounds a little paradoxical." pierced for earrings?" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the made his money." "'About the same.' receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." his knees, staring into the fire. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is villagers almost as much as their master. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, any." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious wanted for ourselves." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Holmes. "Never." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you that there was nothing in it, after all." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "What have you to say now?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet as yours." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Imitated." "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible round and wave him away like that.' broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left cigar and let me expound." door?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from has little to do with my story." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found light and attacked it." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "And how in the world did you find them?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the conceal it?" I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to-night?" I asked. the matter." "Where did you address your letters, then?" this remarkable episode. "What can it mean?" I gasped. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Perfectly so." other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had than was visible to me." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "And your mother is alive?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a papers diligently of late, have you not?" passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "'It is locked up,' I answered. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been nice household for a young lady." "What steps will you take?" I asked. course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the in one or two places in England?' endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much little adventures." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a past. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of