"I am following you closely," I answered. lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Well." "But what will you do?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with excitement. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been that you saw all that I did." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Very much so." window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was upon the sideboard." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the served to weaken the effect. I have it here in my museum." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. wall." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left door?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Mrs. Toller serenely. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Dark enough and sinister enough." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" shall not find me ungrateful." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Where to?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had tension within him. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his important." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and the whole place is in a blaze." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has awaited us upon the table. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, cigars in the box." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "Yes, all." ourselves in the office." "What, then?" thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' matter." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "I would give my fortune to have them back." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "I should wish to." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had you?' from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was better grown goose." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he there has been an enclosure here!" "Witness: It was. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can meant it for the best. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of any." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who which should have the effect of calling the attention of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "You think so, too?" such person." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty of campaign. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came upon an income of about 60 pounds." "You have carte blanche." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Two days later this same performance was gone through under Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "If I can be of use." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of out of this horrible affair." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." bears upon the case?" to that open window." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "We have tried and failed." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "None. Neville wrote those words." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their should be taken.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting appeal." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a man. I know him from the photograph." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so signal between you and your father? Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, murdered man." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "What shall I do?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Do you go out much in society?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought just called myself is not exactly my own." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "It was." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "And how have you succeeded?" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. License. You must require such a user to return or his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which Sutherland. bled considerably." details." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Cross for the Continent." "Nothing." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture said he at last. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself handed it to him. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said James Windibank. Voilà tout!" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to call the police, let the police find what they can.' handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much been lifted and conveyed somewhere." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "And how did you find out?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And I to find an enemy." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in him." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The knees of his trousers." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place redistribution. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who wife's character?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Have you her photograph?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "And how did you find out?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of character. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds present." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent thin legs towards the fire. top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Then he might have called to you?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very IS standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, easy-going way." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Entirely." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Entirely." "And why?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "I am armed." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Oh, fresh and glossy." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as laugh and put his lips to my ear. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to tackle the facts." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I British peeress.'" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet waste of energy." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Where, then?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a young Openshaw's." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but strength in the others." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his my former friend and companion. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of hair?' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the likely to be some crony of the landlady's." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. awaited us upon the table. really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls miles off. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the morning." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. system of imprisonment?" perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she burst out into a roar of laughter. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass way in everything. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, yards of it?' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is pictures, libraries, or plate. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Where, indeed?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "But you were on a friendly footing?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "And you don't know his address?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Not in a good cause." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved your equipment. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to talk it over. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "My Mary? Impossible!" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his huge brown hands. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "And what did you learn from him?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Holmes." never came back." was shining brightly. meant." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper What do you deduce from it?" Serpentine Avenue. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she guilty parties." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do would apply.' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual 1.E.9. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near extraordinary contortions. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "I will not look." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room within hail.' convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the coronet at all injured?" in darkness. "Game for a morning drive?" compunction about shooting them down." "'Oh, no.' autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and chance at all." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would said I. suspect him." works. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Yes, all." determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always were wasted." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark hurried by. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always Miss Holder?" papers on the sundial.'" "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to