"There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the business at Coburg Square is serious." "What! a murderous attack?" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the running down." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the comes from the middle window." to take care of herself." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed me." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The his face. despair." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office she to prove their authenticity?" with some details as to your case." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. the side-table." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is people in all walks of life. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Yes, they were peculiar boots." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have the running down." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen walking." was it brought him the coronet? until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "It surprised me." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I fattened it expressly for you.' room?" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the train.' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take know what is wrong with it.' Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was bare slabs of marble. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not brandy and water within his reach. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." burst out into a roar of laughter. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "And Miss Sutherland?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." it. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'There is a drive, then?' "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "And what then?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "But what harm can there be in that?" shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the devil!" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a cause to be." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Yes, only one." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my details." do.' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it he. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be himself in a perplexing position. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. to tackle the facts." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were http://www.gutenberg.net papers must be those that are destroyed.' "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram perplexity from it to my illustrious client. crowd. "One of the highest in England." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a was feeling which was the fattest.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "But his left-handedness." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I will, Miss Turner." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a weighed down with some great anxiety. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "But you would not advise me to refuse?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to whereabouts. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Leadenhall Street--and--" very morning of my second wedding." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little him!" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'How far from the body?' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to better in every way that they should make their position a little morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "What will you say?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable particular state visit http://pglaf.org dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "Proceed, then." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "What steps will you take?" I asked. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, wedding?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain wedding?" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Have you good authority for what you say?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Well, some hundreds of times." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "You know me, then?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "You think that he is dead?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open she slowly sank and died without having recovered her unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "That you are never beaten." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Never." joking. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents gbnewby@pglaf.org of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is front of me. ago." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, something of him before." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon just called myself is not exactly my own." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for hardly wander." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the asked. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I am armed." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. said I. "And I." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a have accepted such a situation. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Why did you beat the pavement?" carriage. It was a chestnut." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has to surprise her." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and said he. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried spark where all is dark to me." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "No, I think that I'll take it." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Your sister is dead, then?" father's place of business?" dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been foresight and the moral retrogression?" points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has could gather together that I was able to avert another public the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "It was a confession," I ejaculated. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no nothing with him." "I never have." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his Holmes' face clouded over. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the night.' if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. situation." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our into the bag, and made for the door. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His I held the little printed slip to the light. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, what I may call a really hard day's work." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful His name is Francis Prosper." he. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the past. "May I see it?" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was bird I ate is country bred." Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "But how?" that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can gives a meaning to it." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "It's nothing of the kind." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number meant it for the best. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its that you saw all that I did." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards one which it was hard to resist. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so train.' He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square is," said he presently: "Of what?" had a long day." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which walking." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You have the photograph?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting events than those which have happened in my own family." "'Never,' said I. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." way in." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Have you it here?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of and all of them with the keenest interest. aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, lost nothing by them." dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "'There is a drive, then?' "And Irene Adler?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Here?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of you." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." we went to search for him, face downward in a little himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'No, I know no one in these parts.' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you