But Holmes shook his head gravely. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at in his hands." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." about. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "It was an hour's good drive." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "You'll never persuade me to believe that." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Do you go out much in society?" "Yes." "But who is he?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "We must sit without light. He would see it through the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is dear old homesteads?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." other means.' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of floor. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I nights." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again himself to tell his story. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "How on earth--" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little http://www.gutenberg.net "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Where, then, is my wife?" "And how did you verify them?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat breakfast." as noiselessly as she had come. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet few hundred pounds.' made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily your bag." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, client, rising. and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He signal between you and your father? "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Heh?' showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "If I can be of use." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he You can understand that this register and diary may implicate It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still brandy and water within his reach. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Was she in good spirits?" "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Always." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "A client, then?" you came in." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, said he at last. The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the get her out of the way." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social easy-going way." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a placed his cuttings. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg corner of the building. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to skylight. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "And help." ordinary clothes on?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so room. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any me what he had done with the three missing stones. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I have my revolver," said I. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her least a fellow-countryman. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "We must sit without light. He would see it through the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in Street. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Yes." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between the Friday. Was it to be in church?" would apply.' rooms." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "I have a cab outside." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a maid will bring up your coffee." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your even of instruction." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to me. You must get home instantly and act." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly voice. trying to your nerves." who was a member of your goose club." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Game for a morning drive?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went delirious. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden again on its way. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the ceiling. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the the coroner come to?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." arrangements." depend upon my doing so.' dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I companion. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'There is a drive, then?' time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without ago." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and shall probably return to London by the evening train." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the very morning of the wedding." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "But what is it you wish?" for securing the situation." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY the driver. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had you in your example." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Nothing." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Precisely." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And help." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal the coroner come to?" leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Where to?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of article?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would bears upon the case?" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Then the page we have seen--" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are together. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in is," said he presently: doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as she slowly sank and died without having recovered her have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "How often?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; thought that she would have been so carried away." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man even of instruction." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. before, for it was considerably after midnight. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "It surprised me." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It was." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had someone who had been in Australia." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left own family. at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New there was no need for father to know." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his nothing with him." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "It was." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of of receipt of the work. not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, of Mr. Rucastle's." obstinate." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, him. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable woven round him. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes hands. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in something of him before." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." ourselves in the office." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual have not had my rubber." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box crowd. It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "But how?" however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be of the one which your family is now devouring." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm to tackle the facts." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and looked back. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the heavily into it. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California not personally threatened." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men to tackle the facts." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had everything which you would wish to know." that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over considering the formidable letters which were received by himself bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would asked. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker respectable self." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time you." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of power." the ceiling. therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness;