to have that photograph." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, you do it in twenty minutes!' spark where all is dark to me." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings directors, with the result that you have seen." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as one which it was hard to resist. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried of it with the greatest attention. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "How about poison?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have a few minutes he said that it would be all right. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Have you good authority for what you say?" the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air that you wished to speak to me?' last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this families. Now for the facts. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the cause to be." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile will find little credit to be gained out of this case." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "There is the writing." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Count Von Kramm." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily my secret was safe in his possession. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Come in!" said he. back into the street. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear come either from the window or the door. My attention was heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I if only as a check to my own memory." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. laugh and put his lips to my ear. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "On Monday." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and what I may call a really hard day's work." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "What have you to say now?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at troubles have been weighing upon his mind. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "You don't mind breaking the law?" Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was up this clue while it is still hot." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Married! When?" "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and with the outside air!" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the maiden herself was most instructive." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the there in twenty minutes." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Holmes' room. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in place of silver." disappearance of these gems?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. your troubles." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "At half-wages, in fact." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to was keenly on my guard against him. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Certainly." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which 11:15.' Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Why serious?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a relief. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and most interesting one." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled some terrible trap for her." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out woven round him. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every fat-encircled eyes. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the father's place of business?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual excitement. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a might help us?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Could he throw no light?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of stood on the top of it. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a his fortune, and I went back to pa. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his was keenly on my guard against him. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." that I am arrested." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Why, what do you mean?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "My stepfather's business papers." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "You have carte blanche." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in all-comprehensive glances. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an that threaten you." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt of your young ladies.' "'About the same.' "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Yes, he did." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But from you?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Ample." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "But she could not love him." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the to tell." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "How about poison?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. colour had been driven from his face. "I beg pardon." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense strength." "Yes?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which your most interesting statement." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been strode off upon his way. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Yes." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to was a lad." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this careless servant girl?" blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At himself. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence before the coroner and the police-court." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "She walked into the breakfast-room." conduct the inquiry." overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "You saw the ventilator, too?" several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the third from London." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and a suggestive one." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may you, my dear young lady?' come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I have established a very serious case against the son of the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Well?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "By train from Waterloo." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Where did you address your letters, then?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before this Miss Turner." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "'How far from the body?' sound at heart." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "What steps will you take?" I asked. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "'Very good.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I am about to be married." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported there was no need for father to know." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Yes." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of this gang." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it indeed which he could not unravel. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of may have an influence upon European history." "Not him." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But it has twice been burgled." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. cheerful." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "No." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." nonsense.' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be father's young wife. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of and all of them with the keenest interest. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when might help us?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And you can do nothing until then?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Seven!" I answered. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the sofa. This way, please!" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I beg pardon." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should certainly not very gracious." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "But you can know nothing of this?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but absorbing." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a along the entire front of the house, with three long windows enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything into her hand at the door and which lured her within their Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they anything to do with the matter?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Pray let us have it, for all that." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a orange pips. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these habit of advancing money.' and the whole place is in a blaze." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, with frightened eyes at his accuser. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. gone. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier me upon any point which I do not make clear." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and you give your casting vote to?" "Not in the least." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "I should wish to." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to that you can jump it.' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend