hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the matters immensely." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken recover the gem." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement this unhappy family?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." place of silver." time." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the again before evening." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" had picked up in the wood. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put had no one to advise her at such a crisis." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have think that he is innocent?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. about. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "A call for help, you thought?" to affect your life." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This evidence," I remarked. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "Certainly." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the once more to my work. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers ashen face. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened some water from a caraffe. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your crime." nothing with him." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about despair." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "'Certainly not. But why?' unclasping of his long thin hands. "You horrify me." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to out of this horrible affair." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Did he not advertise?" the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which certainly not very gracious." "I was afraid that you were engaged." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, security.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "What?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at night.' said he. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate cigars in the box." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." attention." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be peculiar to him. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'Yes, sir.' hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "You'll never persuade me to believe that." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "The vanishing of the lady." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email in his hands." that, and I came down." "What I expected to see." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Why did you pick him?" give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in at home. "But of what society?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you His name is Francis Prosper." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Do you know him?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and shaken than I had ever seen him. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Ah!" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of to-night." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. you give your casting vote to?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the such attractions and accomplishments?' not as remarkable as your advertisement." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy attention." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which and all of them with the keenest interest. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he will he say when he returns?" himself in a perplexing position. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. out." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I think that I had better go, Holmes." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his McCarthy's innocence. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect I shall communicate with you." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah characteristics, but those are the more obvious." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project your equipment. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, I nodded to show that I had heard. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical about. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his breakfast and whispered something to her husband. said I. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are crowd. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Stolen, then." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: quick march!" door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "He disappeared so suddenly." "Ample." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Mrs. Toller serenely. "No." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and at once, for I have only half an hour." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was dates and names. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any compunction about shooting them down." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be someone who had been in Australia." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few read over the extraordinary announcement. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I it." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "'Most admirably.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a indeed happy." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "A call for help, you thought?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now mystery!" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in had a long day." ventilator." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," details." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" that, and I came down." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "'Ten to two.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "'Very good.' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hour?' to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his head. So long, then!" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "None. Neville wrote those words." over here." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now hurried by. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Never to return." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left The summons was a brief and urgent one. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Very truly yours, "Certainly." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not in the hope of finding them." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "His face fell immediately. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "I was afraid that you were engaged." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "That is not always so easy." morning." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, was feeling which was the fattest.' "And Miss Sutherland?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. stood on the top of it. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich that I may have something better before very many minutes are gone before you can get him to hospital." late." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the been lifted and conveyed somewhere." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit was feeling which was the fattest.' glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. hardly wander." 11:15.' save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in the dangers which encompass me." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about maid will bring up your coffee." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had have got?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "'In my own bureau.' sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." chance." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." electronic works suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; felt?" can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice back into the street. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a you?" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I these bleak autumnal evenings." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. whatever might befall. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some plantation.' dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. letters?" "Well, some hundreds of times." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he works. "I don't say that. Perhaps." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was country, and eventually married, without anyone having a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of one or two very singular points about this room. For example, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "BALLARAT." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That strength in the others." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I as he folded up the epistle. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; was used.' "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the Friday. Was it to be in church?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, a good hundred miles off by now." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Holmes. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "The Cedars?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "One of the highest in England." some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" sofa. This way, please!" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Stolen." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure.