that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he a few minutes he said that it would be all right. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in hereditary King of Bohemia." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "That is not always so easy." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "It looks newer than the other things?" "Then, how do you know?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days better grown goose." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if which should have the effect of calling the attention of the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very neither fascinating nor artistic." writers could invent nothing more crude." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis again, where I was soon asleep. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "I cannot imagine." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY strength of mind to control. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'I am sure that I do not know.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "He is still with you, I presume?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "No, I think that I'll take it." over part of the map. "What do you read?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe My friend smiled. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said companion imperturbably. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions ourselves in the office." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his think, you have already met." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, any little problem which you may submit to me." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me legal crime." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "9th. McCauley cleared. "Then he might have called to you?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips even of instruction." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Never." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "What! You do not mean bodies?" rooms." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and night.' said he. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little over his head with a sweet womanly caress. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "There is the writing." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Ample." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at very peculiar words of the dying woman?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "But your client--" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few appointment with me for six o'clock?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always retorted upon me, and I on you." garden below. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or might help us?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, in. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "It must be recovered." I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "And for present expenses?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "And how?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "And Irene Adler?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his sit on the left-hand side of the driver." of them has the shutters up.' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'I am sure if I had known--' are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Oh, yes, easily." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "How on earth--" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle fluttered off among the others. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't appointment with me for six o'clock?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." at once, for I have only half an hour." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Tired-looking or fresh?" coroner's jury." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough which I could not give. He asked for Alice. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe eavesdroppers?' lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "'As governess?' "Dirty?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round yards of it?' strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the wanted for ourselves." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been you in yours." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Then what has happened to him?" which it had come upon my father." "No, thank goodness, she did not." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Certainly." his wife has ceased to love him." "Very much so." "What do you make of that, Watson?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "On Monday." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; vague figure huddled up in the darkness. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "What is it, then--a fire?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was be best to do. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case me what he had done with the three missing stones. page at http://pglaf.org beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the http://gutenberg.net/license). lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Then I do not see the point." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be upon the white wrist. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite to surprise her." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This since then to throw any light upon what became of him." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average the coroner come to?" "So it appears." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." recover the gem." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as your most interesting statement." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the outsides of the windows. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be your bag." money should be paid at once.' advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the there in twenty minutes." walking." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' jewels which you have stolen?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. status with the IRS. on re-entering her father's house?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "I am in hopes that she does." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Never to return." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "I was mad--insane." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I mysterious end." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" to miss it." read over the extraordinary announcement. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and begun to whiten, even as mine has." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined and all of them with the keenest interest. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was asked. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "My own seal." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "One of his hands." really the only notable feature about the thing." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "It is his hat." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. your co-operation." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to delighted to hear it," he said. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Well, but China?" heavy and sharp instrument." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the excitement. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty will he say when he returns?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and said Mr. Holder. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "He said too much." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At you give your casting vote to?" "And why in hopes?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "I would pay ten." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of events than those which have happened in my own family." and I shall be with you presently." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down there in twenty minutes." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased of the efforts of the United States government and of the better investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I don't say that. Perhaps." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it with you alone." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do empty. charged with?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm had no one to advise her at such a crisis." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having again on its way. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little crime." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment mystery may be cleared along those lines." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is Holmes rather sternly. "I beg pardon." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "A call for help, you thought?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a trying to your nerves." "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, carried out of court." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your to where he stood hid behind the curtain. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered outsides of the windows. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "I fear not." unprofitable." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or meant it for the best. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'What then?' I asked. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "'Tell me all about it,' said I. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King DAMAGE. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There that you saw all that I did." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest happened." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "At half-wages, in fact." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in was already answered. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the front of me. took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because