posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Yes, only one." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Lee, in the county of Kent." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, looking up at the numbers of the houses." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "That was it, sir." happened." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." examine." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive again before evening." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" of them has the shutters up.' Have you good authority for what you say?" two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of chamber." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the with her." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he Miss Holder?" this poor creature." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Because he was handy and would come cheap." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which name is different." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "It's nothing of the kind." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, you?' values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the III. good for you to do.' no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could cost them two and thirty pounds." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable upon the white wrist. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "My dear Holmes!" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. compunction about shooting them down." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "And I." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking considering the formidable letters which were received by himself call the police, let the police find what they can.' "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is highroad, where all traces were lost. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm works. See paragraph 1.E below. asked. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven people in all walks of life. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of writing, and yet I know it well." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend six. Come in!" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses which was all perfectly true. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. ways of our fellow-men." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a page at http://pglaf.org "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. chamber." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide said Mr. Holder. it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the this remarkable episode. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A people don't know." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these in my life." the room while you explain this matter?" an introduction to him?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into one or two very singular points about this room. For example, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable the stones. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you burst into a hearty fit of laughter. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's strong and stiff." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "'Most admirably.' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "In the cells." "But how did you gain them?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the bottom.' reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new you?' alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a weighed down with some great anxiety. charge against him will break down." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall do." meant." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but secret." question," said Holmes, smiling. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "Thank you. And your address?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. sparkled upon his finger. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other brain must have something in it." and glanced through. think that any burglar could have done. "'Yes, sir.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Certainly, madam." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious here and I will read it to you: surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' direction." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands note?" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Yes." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that allusion to a rat. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "There are none." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. occupations.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." in his hands." papers must be those that are destroyed.' case before our client came into the room." "You horrify me!" "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "To an end?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You my little problems." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the amused." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. fact, we may call it conclusive." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary me what he had done with the three missing stones. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your happened." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other wanted for ourselves." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the one as in the other." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "None." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a it means?" awkward doing business with an alias." "And is that all?" and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Well." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were whereabouts. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, did not hear it also.' been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "I say it is." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, sofa. This way, please!" all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch the bed, and you in that chair." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from into the bag, and made for the door. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and of them has the shutters up.' Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Foundation learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only a room. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been is entirely a question of barometric pressure." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "One of his hands." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a companion quietly. becomes even more simple." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. situation." "I shall be delighted." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps whereabouts. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the arrangements." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." in the dead of the night?' disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than fishes. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "I was afraid that you were engaged." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "And the murderer?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium but preventing her from injuring another. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to trying to your nerves." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. approach us with offers to donate. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "The doctor?" said he. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." out of this horrible affair." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked The summons was a brief and urgent one. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the coronet in his hands?" "'Where could I find him?' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so possible that we could bring him back to her? forebodings. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and do.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing London for the present?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "He said too much." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you overpowering excitement and concern. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was his huge brown hands. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been closely." reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying conduct the inquiry." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an the window, rose as we entered. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry key of the affair now." to his chemical studies. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "At the wedding breakfast." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" in this note: "'Stolen!' he cried. good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village.