one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I am about to be married." me have 200 pounds?' as noiselessly as she had come. congratulate you again." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and may have an influence upon European history." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "It came here." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk he. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." one else, I think." to-night's adventure." particular state visit http://pglaf.org shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and glanced through. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. that I am arrested." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the beg that you will break it off." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to wedding?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper was the fact that his father should, according to his account, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss forehead. remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Surrey." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' main points of my analysis." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' used to be." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in this poor creature." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. hardly wander." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same an introduction to him?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in visitors." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. is four-and-twenty." "You horrify me!" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of something of him before." schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent his grey eyes. "Your French gold?" address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House not fit the lock." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my fait accompli?" "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and vanished into the darkness. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my ceremony." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was words came to my lips. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to in my life." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Not I." "I shall most certainly do so." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her key turn in the lock." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a charged with?" have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "I don't say that. Perhaps." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to once more for Briony Lodge. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" go back?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful presented which may be striking and bizarre without being friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Her father is very rich?" "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already written. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to or other trace. But how on earth--" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down of the way of danger. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "That is it on the dressing-table." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, never will be, entirely cleared up. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found looking up at the numbers of the houses." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face all that?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it respectable self." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the your sleep?' wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." that?' possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl pictures, libraries, or plate. they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the warnings." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the very morning of the wedding." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Your presence might be invaluable." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Has he come with you to-night?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." even so self-evident a thing as that." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the hurried away. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her interest. They are important, you understand, without being maiden herself was most instructive." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yes, that is the Crown." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Have you it here?" secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day was lame." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Then I shall certainly come." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions six. Come in!" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like key turn in the lock." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." everything which you would wish to know." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was recall any case within my experience which looked at the first jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "How many? I don't know." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, exactly what you advise." "And how in the world did you find them?" bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "No." foot. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you in his power. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into little trying to do so much typewriting?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "And I to find an enemy." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while Surrey." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few had this final quarrel? I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch him!" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Holmes." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "Why did you beat the pavement?" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded shadow pass over his face as I spoke. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the woman." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large could not account in any way for the presence of the missing 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you awaited us upon the table. "And why in hopes?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "It was an hour's good drive." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that to tell." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you cheerful." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. think that any burglar could have done. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle wanted for ourselves." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, mysterious business." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both bedroom door." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money the iron safe, which he closed upon it. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then some mystery and the punishment of some crime." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came papers." DAMAGE. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "It is half-past ten now." "Married! When?" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "That is possible." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes, they were peculiar boots." woven round him. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held since then to throw any light upon what became of him." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at events than those which have happened in my own family." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is think that any burglar could have done. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "If I can be of use." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "An enemy?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we would then never go into court at all." "One?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "What!" he roared. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, nonsense.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "And how did you verify them?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to straightened it out again. you, my dear young lady?' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes, he did." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "You don't mind breaking the law?" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the and laid it on the table. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Perfectly so." stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel that he will be back before evening." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me,