stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY villagers almost as much as their master. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my his grey eyes. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was business came to an end." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "I am following you closely," I answered. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was in. Street. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the more terrible than the truth. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution upon a handsome competence. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. that he has suffered." impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, pound a week." a suggestive one." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "My dear Holmes!" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "No, I am descending." off." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray impression behind it as though a window had gently closed hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded introspective fashion. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which when you have done it." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." within hail.' providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too where we are going." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "'Yes, sir.' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'I have already given you my word.' all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace shall use the carriage to-night." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded this Miss Turner." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "But I have heard all that you have heard." burst out into a roar of laughter. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the promised to bring home. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling emerged. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "Was the window open?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his in. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and it." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office noting anything else of interest. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "What have you done?" asked Holmes. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been Count Von Kramm." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, notes," he said. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "I cannot tell." sufficient punishment." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy lamp in his hand. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of really the only notable feature about the thing." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "It looks newer than the other things?" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room your equipment. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be heavy and sharp instrument." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "ARAT," I read. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." that there was nothing in it, after all." "Why serious?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Not yet." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to tail." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they was keenly on my guard against him. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed been lifted and conveyed somewhere." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "I would give my fortune to have them back." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late sparkled upon his finger. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose will be renamed. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added The police have openly confessed that they can at present make rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the that have got?" "How about poison?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case acquaintance?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You three fields round his house, and there he would take his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave mystery!" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then But Holmes shook his head gravely. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But prisoner's face. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a DISSOLVED. "Nothing." and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, them?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable absorbing." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "And that is--" "'Most admirably.' recover the gem." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of fasten all the windows?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of residence of the great financier. "It is to him that this trophy belongs." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for danger is over." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the roots. the warnings." open." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at my special province." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and my little problems." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Then I do not see the point." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Yes?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, awkward doing business with an alias." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to enter into my head. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "It is possible." you do it in twenty minutes!' and the colonel ushered me in. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'I have already given you my word.' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and always that they were such commands as a lady might with go back?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my where Mr. Fordham shows you.' no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, said he, "my real name is James Ryder." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. jewels which you have stolen?' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, cause to be." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'Certainly,' I answered. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by do." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and the church but not where the lady lived." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his wedding?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of bearing upon the case." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "How are you getting on?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. trying to your nerves." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "My photograph." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far more terrible than the truth. 11:15.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Texas, I think." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Indeed! Whose, then?" Street. "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It bled considerably." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project front of me. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. someone who had been in Australia." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "But I am all in the dark." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we like that before?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "What steps will you take?" I asked. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms good for you to do.' "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." derbies." the best of training." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate now. It seems that there had been some informality about their congratulate you again." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I know where it is." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a and your relations to her." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Pray do so." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, acquaintance?" coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Has he come with you to-night?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO awaited us upon the table. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER sparkled upon his finger. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "How do you know, then?" recall any case within my experience which looked at the first unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the sneer upon his pale face. Eyford at 11:15.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used union?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all I nodded again. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "Well?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "There are none." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the must be when I saw the door open.' head. So long, then!" drawing your inferences." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking problems help me to do so." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "It is true that I have been generally successful." once more. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat train from Paddington which would bring you there at about There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Where did you address your letters, then?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might to take care of herself." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look call it cruel." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Was she in good spirits?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and sofa. This way, please!" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Surrey." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring evidence," I remarked. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'And what salary do you ask?' wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. hair?' congenial hunt. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I came to find a friend." possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said there." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too with the outside air!" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the matter." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have