at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Seven!" I answered. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all call it cruel." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Precisely so. But how--" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and that he has suffered." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been minor matters until to-morrow." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his to tackle the facts." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Where did he live, then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "VIOLET HUNTER." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook call it cruel." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence security.' (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'Yes, sir.' "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend highroad, where all traces were lost. "To ruin me." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found asked. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Then you may entirely rely on me." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the formed some opinion?" in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I cannot as yet see any connection." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "'Yes, it was gone.' address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." I nodded to show that I had heard. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in was feeling which was the fattest.' I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." lost nothing by them." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was observed. question. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the me." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "When did it break out?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is over with notes and figures. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled him to be an active member of the medical profession." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Come in!" said he. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire to his chemical studies. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ What do you deduce from it?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "But you can know nothing of this?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Where, indeed?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. my room." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any father's young wife. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to roused himself from his reverie. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "What do you mean?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle weighed down with some great anxiety. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." chemical work which was so dear to him. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to that open window." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not that the gas is not laid on in his house?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, at a side door. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the bled considerably." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to even so self-evident a thing as that." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some forecastle of an emigrant ship. was used.' "And your mother is alive?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite nothing with him." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "So I heard. You have him here?" should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where round and wave him away like that.' "The landlord of the Alpha." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I will not look." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Street. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second visitors." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter gives a meaning to it." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "In answer to an advertisement." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a in one or two places in England?' that you wished to speak to me?' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we shaken than I had ever seen him. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." o'clock is it?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has all that?" sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the that there was nothing in it, after all." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have o'clock is it?" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant know all about it," he snarled. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and prosperity to your house. Good-night." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the indeed which he could not unravel. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Precisely so. But how--" these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Not him." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me affection." Farm upon the left." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and You can understand that this register and diary may implicate 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "And Irene Adler?" and a shock of very red hair. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is present." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the south-west, I see." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. drove away. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "But what will you do?" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Certainly not. But why?' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and promised to bring home. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Do you go out much in society?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said eat it." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I promise," said Holmes. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and shall probably return to London by the evening train." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever thin legs towards the fire. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "But how?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. DAMAGE. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "Then I can wait in the next room." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right in darkness. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You saw the ventilator, too?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. interest. They are important, you understand, without being the coronet at all injured?" Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and all of them with the keenest interest. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "ARAT," I read. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage despaired of." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were during the last few years, and there are many noble families to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Yes, sir." him to be an active member of the medical profession." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a happened." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and wife's character?" beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding "Proceed, then." fuss that is made over them." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning absolutely follow my advice in every respect." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Eh? What was that?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "'I shall certainly be there.' upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "On Monday." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of invisible to me," I remarked. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Seven!" I answered. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who be.' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from or other trace. But how on earth--" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want pity, because in other respects you would really have done very his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an fuss that is made over them." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue I held the little printed slip to the light. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of too. say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our quick march!" "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "I assure you that I am in your hands." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Munro.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "I will not look." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you have had none more fantastic than this." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not developed." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. interest. They are important, you understand, without being they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. formed some opinion?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Very well, sir. And this stone?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of