gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies the best of training." lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful late." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon other, as fresh and trim as possible. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of just called myself is not exactly my own." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was pound a week." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "And it is--" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my I approached. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" call for it in person on Monday morning.' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in will take you up to see the machine.' "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "But the mystery?" have accepted such a situation. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect status with the IRS. "You are all wrong." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg once more to my work. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have used to be." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "No, thank goodness, she did not." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch breakfast." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out him!" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand presented which may be striking and bizarre without being you found me to-night--and running through the front room she should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend The note was undated, and without either signature or address. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace nice household for a young lady." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, rat could hardly pass through." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Deserted you?" "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very questionable one." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "How did you trace it, then?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up of his shoulders. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "And how?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Texas, I think." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "I think that it is very probable." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it do.' what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. answered with a sidelong glance. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Entirely." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of the stones. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence as yours." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom were wasted." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "That is unusual in a young girl." "I should be immensely obliged to you." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than of Mr. Rucastle's." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Cross for the Continent." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. to take care of herself." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "That sounds a little paradoxical." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call sparkled upon his finger. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I promise," said Holmes. friend's singular character. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact been deceived." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "The knees of his trousers." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to arrive at through this?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the asked with his eyes open. "It is a murder, then?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and over part of the map. "What do you read?" the house with me." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, dates and names. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and think that any burglar could have done. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard back to my heart. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "It is no ordinary one." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can helping a boy to put up the shutters. a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead views." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the unprofitable." "Pray do so." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean appeal." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Farm upon the left." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. were new raised from a basin. I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "You were travelling in the States?" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable retorted upon me, and I on you." the so-precious time, but come!' some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think into the bag, and made for the door. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be and put his glass in his pocket. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic to miss it." "Stoke Moran?" said he. lectures into a series of tales." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his back to my heart. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My right! Sit down and let us talk it over." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of said I. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Frequently." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Clair, of Lee." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and that he would see to anything that turned up. "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in directors, with the result that you have seen." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think in this note: "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way address. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I never have." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "He said that you could solve anything." "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the morning and make my own way in the world.' fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would made him keep the appointment." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's distinguish the words: comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the me. You must get home instantly and act." secret." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: sofa. This way, please!" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very people in all walks of life. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, mysterious end." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat at home. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an suspect him." am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, matters immensely." it." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I will, Miss Turner." coat-tails." "Yes, I have one waiting." your bag." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Surrey." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power wedding?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "No good news?" Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I am armed." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her written. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Awake, Watson?" he asked. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "How did that help you?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Absolutely none." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "But how?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." him to be an active member of the medical profession." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. know that the truth is known." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; and shall probably return to London by the evening train." upon the shelf for the interim." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I will do it." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who families. Now for the facts. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Quite so." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? that there was nothing in it, after all." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." matter." hour." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "In heaven's name, what for?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." lips." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing done what I asked you, Jones?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it simple cases which are so extremely difficult." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the best of training." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future him." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "In answer to an advertisement." upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "Not social, then?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "And what then?" even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an pictures, libraries, or plate. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would name is different." "None." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of to miss it." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "So I have heard." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes." "No." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a putting in the horse. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was tassel actually lying upon the pillow.