light and attacked it." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I has little to do with my story." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "And when will you call?" stammered. "I see many objections to any such theory." highly," said Holmes. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Mary, has deserted me." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, soul! here is her carriage at the door." politicians who had been sent down from the North. as he remarks, very much against the son." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "9th. McCauley cleared. both be extremely obliged.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." as yours." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly prove to be little relation between the different incidents of at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It is very kind of you." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "It was." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "You have compromised yourself seriously." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but 1.F. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I beg pardon." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen means taking possession of that which another person has a prior he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'And the work?' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Nothing?" "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "This photograph!" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little yourselves in at night?" it with his own hands." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "The Cedars?" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from my former friend and companion. you for a few hours?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of your Highness to the police-station?" started for the Temple to see my husband. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be make me his representative both with the servants and with the unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed should be so warm over such a trifle." soul! here is her carriage at the door." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "What do you mean?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she to affect your life." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Pray let us have it, for all that." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the armchair which I pushed forward for him. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of certainly do as you advise." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had cigars in the box." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found constraint." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "I promise," said Holmes. upon a handsome competence. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical stalked out of the room. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with which was all perfectly true. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will money should be paid at once.' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, the cause is excellent!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, outside. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Yes." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "But she could not love him." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Pray tell us what has happened to you." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small must compliment you." into the bag, and made for the door. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must of the one which your family is now devouring." it right.' "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it in my life." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "What of the rat, then?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "And how in the world did you find them?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "But we can't all be." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue where we are going." "He disappeared so suddenly." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." you." "By all means." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a bare slabs of marble. attention." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "On Monday." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "He is dead," cried several voices. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "But she will refuse." "My Mary? Impossible!" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the II. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "VIOLET HUNTER." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London important." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, ready to-morrow?' light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his into the bag, and made for the door. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "How did that help you?" "That you are never beaten." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "No, distinctly professional." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and straighten it?" "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, hand, madam?" these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "This photograph!" surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I am armed." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for ago." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still which it had come upon my father." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must sooner or later she must fall a victim. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods congratulate you again." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "One of the highest in England." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with me." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "But his lameness?" "Was the window open?" "But how?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time laugh and put his lips to my ear. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." rooms." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "But what will you do?" fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was is now desirous of getting those letters back." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you this Miss Turner." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he room. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "And what did you learn from him?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white late!' occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" away into the river." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. soul! here is her carriage at the door." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "But I am all in the dark." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project thin legs towards the fire. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided public press." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has that I am arrested." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was do.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch beyond words. before, for it was considerably after midnight. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He touch that coronet?' confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "Imitated." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." any little problem which you may submit to me." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as and files of the old papers, following the future career of every face and glided from the room. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Countess of Morcar's?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall was once confined in the cab my mission was practically send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and glanced through. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular security.' the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight the matter?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. himself to hunt down. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is matter." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'There is a drive, then?' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A arrangements." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have must compliment you." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I have my revolver," said I. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. for its centre. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own brandy and water within his reach. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. recover the gem." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Mrs. Toller serenely. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking cause to be." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Precisely." "And how in the world did you find them?" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me was keenly on my guard against him. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Just look it up, then." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "And your father? Did you tell him?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been three fields round his house, and there he would take his bare slabs of marble. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "I cannot imagine." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "And from a noble client?" "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Pray do so." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to