"I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to DISSOLVED. done what I asked you, Jones?" really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story late!' chance." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. infinite languor in his face. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that and prosperity to your house. Good-night." as he folded up the epistle. "That is also quite modern," said the lady. knowledge of the world." you, my dear young lady?' back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Of what day?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a round and wave him away like that.' wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, new duties?' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his is acting for the best. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and to-night?" I asked. "Did he not advertise?" "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "What have you to say now?" Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Gutenberg-tm License. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to fuss that is made over them." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Yes." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which is worth.' has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "9th. McCauley cleared. "And what then?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Certainly." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an noting anything else of interest. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "You are certainly joking, Holmes." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was a loud and authoritative tap. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the goes." of your young ladies.' "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." the running down." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a future lives." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us delirious. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Did you observe the colour?" occurred." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other trying to your nerves." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "I fear not." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Then I do not see the point." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he footfalls from the street. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "If so, much may have happened between." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity vault. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the stones. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently nothing with him." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "Yes, sir." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Yes." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and the colonel ushered me in. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "In answer to an advertisement." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." roused himself from his reverie. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his feature." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "'Most admirably.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Yes, sir." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the trifles." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of receipt of the work. how narrow had been my escape. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is bearing upon the case." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a fait accompli?" "It surprised me." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "What! a murderous attack?" meant." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "That is it on the dressing-table." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Ample." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf easy-going way." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close manager. Doctor, of the paper and the date." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "I would pay ten." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried horse could go." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could will he say when he returns?" read it out to me." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows go from here to the Strand." "No sign of it?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I fish-monger and a tide-waiter." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And how did he make his money?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much face and glided from the room. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the more solid." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and capable of preserving a secret.' To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little galvanised. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." if only as a check to my own memory." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Surrey." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE thin, with a long, sharp nose?" redistribution. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a deduce something from that?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Holmes' thin, eager face. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him Lestrade of Scotland Yard." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general you do it in twenty minutes!' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "I am sure." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their said he, "my real name is James Ryder." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may question. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away fishes. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a easy-going way." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in a very precise fashion." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a empty. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and the Assizes." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Yes, only one." o'clock is it?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" stalked out of the room. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Pray do so." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's instincts rose up against that laugh. neither fascinating nor artistic." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country hour." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Farm upon the left." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the handed it to him. which it had come upon my father." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to lumber-room." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is upon an income of about 60 pounds." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I and capable of preserving a secret.' business." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an amused." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." formed some opinion?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City such attractions and accomplishments?' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Why? What do you mean?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" danger is over." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "You horrify me!" the tragedy. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he nights." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Was she in good spirits?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." soul! here is her carriage at the door." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Absolutely?" 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "I am armed." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I entirely devoid of interest." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been me where it went to?" "No." important." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "How did you deduce the select?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The know all about it," he snarled. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that been with you?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. directly by questioning you." "I came to find a friend." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "What of the rat, then?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "ARAT," I read. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out bedroom door." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "He is dead," cried several voices. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I answered that I had not. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your him!" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of to affect your life." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "The rest you will leave in our hands." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Then I do not see the point." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like you?' "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the