"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. galvanised. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "What! a murderous attack?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with flock.' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, conclusions. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." once more. question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "That sounds a little paradoxical." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." as he folded up the epistle. man. I know him from the photograph." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he neither fascinating nor artistic." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders morning." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is," said he presently: "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "The murder was done with it." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the anything to do with the matter?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "The King of Scandinavia." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Witness: It was. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at upon a handsome competence. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden for securing the situation." indeed happy." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would writing, and yet I know it well." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out ran thus: follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of just ask you whether you had heard it.' supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'Tell me all about it,' said I. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the London for the present?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, someone who had been in Australia." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Pool. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "'Where could I find him?' and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "We were both in the photograph." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, have got?" have one." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations appeared upon the scene." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said for the market.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he mysterious end." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "What then?" "At the wedding breakfast." "What of the rat, then?" Munro.' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a to arrive at through this?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when compunction about shooting them down." once more for Briony Lodge. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a deduce something from that?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I should like to see him very much." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the until night should bring an explanation. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel girl said." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there this unhappy family?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. enter Dr. Roylott's room." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil go from here to the Strand." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "He might." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "And it is--" and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after answer." your equipment. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Yes." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all prisoner's face. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Then, how do you know?" "It must be recovered." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and bears upon the case?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with vault. "No good news?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "What, then, did Peterson do?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps fattened it expressly for you.' seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he might have a private word with us. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the DAMAGE. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the back to my heart. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "How did he come?" The police have openly confessed that they can at present make used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Frequently." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "You did not overhear what they said?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "I promise," said Holmes. "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. of the one which your family is now devouring." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. approach us with offers to donate. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "The gentleman I describe." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your he died? I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "But he might be a bachelor." "So I have heard." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until coroner's jury." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" astonishment. have established a very serious case against the son of the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. other, as fresh and trim as possible. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that legal crime." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "No sign of it?" answered with a sidelong glance. done what I asked you, Jones?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed I approached. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy him." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "This photograph!" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "But your client--" learned something! Where are the gems?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. it." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not fled together." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this footfalls from the street. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as writing, and yet I know it well." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no look upon these things in a different way." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An pound a week." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing nonsense.' been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Lestrade of Scotland Yard." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "But what will you do?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Witness: It was. long narrative. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you your only hope of safety." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "No, my brougham is waiting." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, gone before you can get him to hospital." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), chemical work which was so dear to him. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to change my dress. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman since then to throw any light upon what became of him." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. fluttered off among the others. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in lamp in his hand. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holmes." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously together. His smile broadened. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Oh, fresh and glossy." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly get the tickets." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not children over to America with him, so that I found myself without gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that gone before you can get him to hospital." outside. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I am following you closely," I answered. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Where did you address your letters, then?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what gigantic client. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day to tell." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Certainly." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you there." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "What are they?" Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson gigantic client. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened man. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here go from here to the Strand." "No legal papers or certificates?" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and words came to my lips. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Ah!" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Where did he live, then?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Sutherland. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with detained." better in every way that they should make their position a little the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can which it had come upon my father." should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the heavily into it. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss appointment with me for six o'clock?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband is," said he presently: days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK tell them apart.' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it what do you think they found in the pockets?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "But you can know nothing of this?" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because happened." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out returning from some small jollification and was making his way Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY best detective that ever lived. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, compunction about shooting them down." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Only as much as we can deduce." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "So I am. Very much so." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me developed." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and views." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up away to you." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "He might." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your