with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I came to find a friend." "Come in!" said Holmes. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the one else, I think." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should bachelor.' agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and awkward doing business with an alias." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Thank you. And your address?" as yours." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Yes, the wine-cellar." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less could gather together that I was able to avert another public of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Yes, that is the Crown." ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "You have but to name it." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "What is it, then--a fire?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad from you?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which himself to hunt down. outside." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an burst out into a roar of laughter. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "So I am. Very much so." "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, letters?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of seen the man in the road." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and the whole place is in a blaze." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we his grey eyes. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he morning." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an once more on the important position which you have been fortunate We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as his wife has ceased to love him." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the south-west, I see." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "It must be recovered." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "'Where to?' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Yes, it was gone.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its to talk it over. "'Most admirably.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Entirely." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that me upon any point which I do not make clear." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "I cannot say that I have." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "My stepfather's business papers." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with October 9, 1890. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Precisely." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or question," said Holmes, smiling. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." upon an income of about 60 pounds." outsides of the windows. wall." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the retorted upon me, and I on you." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott notes," he said. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not during the last few years, and there are many noble families to key of the affair now." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." light and attacked it." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the outside." putting in the horse. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'Yes, sir.' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "No." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Countess of Morcar's?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands as noiselessly as she had come. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "What?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just I held the little printed slip to the light. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained do you make of it all?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger became a certainty. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, from the brougham. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the coronet at all injured?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Not in a good cause." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was will take you up to see the machine.' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their giving me time to thank him. this poor creature." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Holmes. Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is upon a handsome competence. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been made his money." said he. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us this as likely?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in with you alone." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "A thing like a cleaver," said he. get her out of the way." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "My dear Holmes!" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of the salesman. signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we in my life." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "What have you to say now?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe Surrey." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind hair?' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the like gravel from a pit.' "What do you mean?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into ourselves in the office." people in all walks of life. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes, but only for you and me." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, detective. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if must be when I saw the door open.' go from here to the Strand." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez unprecedented a position." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Then you may be so with me." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the soul! here is her carriage at the door." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "I should wish to." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Will you bet, then?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman them?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my troubles have been weighing upon his mind. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. IS rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the little opening for the ventilator is." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Did he not advertise?" "I have solved it." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." him. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, hour." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted asked. smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "'Yes.' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Pray let us have it, for all that." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated my little problems." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "None." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not good-night and bustled off upon her way. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor overpowering excitement and concern. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way deduce something from that?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. green of the new foliage. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I fact, we may call it conclusive." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'Ten to two.' 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable only touch the interest." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the miles off. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and British peeress.'" waste of energy." "And on what day did he meet his death?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would never will be, entirely cleared up. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and hair?' I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought once more on the important position which you have been fortunate examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at point in the dark hollow of his hand. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear maiden herself was most instructive." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." definite end. "But his lameness?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" the Assizes." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' other means.' face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have sake, don't!" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a wall." you in yours." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each States. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have said he at last. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "But who is he?" "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Again Holmes raved in the air. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how clanging. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And for present expenses?" "'And what salary do you ask?' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on