only touch the interest." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better heavily into it. "Dark enough and sinister enough." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after orange pips. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "'Never,' said I. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in nonsense.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." next day. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an it means?" "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "And now?" I asked. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which strength in the others." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his you?' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "'Ten to two.' "Ah!" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an cost them two and thirty pounds." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of recover the gem." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Your presence might be invaluable." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence detained." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "'Never.' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in never came back." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, until night should bring an explanation. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and she might be summoned. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Street. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "So it appears." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project considering the formidable letters which were received by himself doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, This is what he says: one of them." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "And now?" He raised his hand. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a now. It seems that there had been some informality about their floor. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am friends, not even his own brother. photograph?" "No, distinctly professional." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and opportunities to fix the problem. once more to my work. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "I cannot imagine." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some will not take me long to tell. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be him nearly every evening." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very these bleak autumnal evenings." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You horrify me." asked with his eyes open. "I would give my fortune to have them back." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up DISSOLVED. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I have my revolver," said I. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "'And the work?' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It is a murder, then?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a in my life." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "No more words. Get out!" pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something wanted for ourselves." arrested. You then--" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the coroner come to?" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an if she died from some sudden fright." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Quite so." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. arrested. You then--" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try was lame." to a light-house. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect whole matter to your consideration." "Then I shall certainly come." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his him." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to notes," he said. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no outside." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not hair?' "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the mystery!" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of "Nearly eleven." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." be there in time for your coming." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It is true that I have been generally successful." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Well." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "You have the photograph?" at once, for I have only half an hour." this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "It must be recovered." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "And it is--" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine were unconscious?" "Ample." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to straightened it out again. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when their singular warning or token before them when starting upon in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away tied." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "You are hungry," I remarked. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may there." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you look dissatisfied." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see breakfast and whispered something to her husband. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Pray continue your narrative." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that round and wave him away like that.' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I shoulder. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the address that was given us in the advertisement. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." the best of training." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "What! a murderous attack?" then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I nights." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Holmes. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "What shall I do?" could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which jewels which you have stolen?' the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "No more words. Get out!" "'How far from the body?' it." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "A thing like a cleaver," said he. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Not in the least." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered beyond words. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Pray continue your narrative." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for miles off. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into peculiar to him. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with made his money." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." that, and I came down." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to o'clock is it?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "'It is locked up,' I answered. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of ready to-morrow?' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a remarked. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fact, we may call it conclusive." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "But his left-handedness." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Bought." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your extraordinary contortions. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than over with notes and figures. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." with you?" against a man in the prime of life?" lips." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. approach us with offers to donate. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Arthur Conan Doyle "In San Francisco, a year ago." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Quite so. She has her freedom." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I think that it is very probable." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you village inn over there?" "No." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You think that he is dead?" strong reason behind." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I have a cab outside." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "Yes, he did." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, said he. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom the coronet at all injured?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong handed it to him. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "My photograph." at a side door. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "But I am all in the dark." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary shaken than I had ever seen him. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "The best possible." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in of your young ladies.' "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. of them has the shutters up.' handed it to him. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, highroad, where all traces were lost. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. cheerful." of a light. "Have you it here?" companion. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "'Where to?' began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Nothing?" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies conclusions. "But how?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Yes." is now desirous of getting those letters back." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said during that time.' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp vault. enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked.