stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Very good.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when as he folded up the epistle. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten public press." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in gone. Holmes." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable of this gang." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been such person." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and up this clue while it is still hot." brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case I shall continue with my miserable story. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." about. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "ARAT," I read. "At what time?" "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the been with you?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Does that suggest anything?" said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming unkempt, staring out at me. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Holmes." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "I say it is." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client business." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must all-comprehensive glances. your own bird, so if you wish--" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'How far from the body?' following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this what I may call a really hard day's work." done what I asked you, Jones?" rooms." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," works. See paragraph 1.E below. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, our word." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on and the whole place is in a blaze." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. upon the shelf for the interim." roused himself from his reverie. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so was used.' persecution?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." be.' bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help retorted upon me, and I on you." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "On Monday." in this way: important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "When did it break out?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with You want to know what became of those geese?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "And that is--" that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, my room." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "No." locked. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the been." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately memory. for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been said he. to change my dress. clanging. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance despaired of." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have your own bird, so if you wish--" away to you." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some easy-going way." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it developed." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." "So I heard. You have him here?" bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to details should find their way into the papers. Inspector authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Very truly yours, husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his least a fellow-countryman. the Assizes." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "That's no good." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest me upon any point which I do not make clear." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid intimate personal affairs in this public manner." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he way in." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "I answered that I had not. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "Where to?" of your young ladies.' "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches jewels which you have stolen?' me upon any point which I do not make clear." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "We were both in the photograph." public press." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you his face which made him a very different person to the round, the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "One?" simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which will be renamed. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was room. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker depend upon your compliance." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than both be extremely obliged.' pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business your bag." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Tired-looking or fresh?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, mystery!" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can society." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Ten will be early enough." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," fled together." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, must be when I saw the door open.' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "BALLARAT." "'How far from the body?' drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "That sounds a little paradoxical." straighten it?" "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." my friend's incisive reasoning. "We were both in the photograph." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "Why? What do you mean?" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any recover the gem." who was a member of your goose club." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It outsides of the windows. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the night.' bedroom door." with her." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other photograph?" "And when will you call?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his laugh and put his lips to my ear. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear vault. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for of note-paper. It read in this fashion: his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any least a fellow-countryman. stalked out of the room. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the knowledge of the world." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my weapon." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over she to prove their authenticity?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the cigars in their mouths. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Leadenhall Street--and--" infinite languor in his face. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Well." His smile broadened. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging in his power. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came think that any burglar could have done. "What have you to say now?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "No, distinctly professional." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I cannot tell." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "None." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost is," said he presently: by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I gbnewby@pglaf.org single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in that you saw all that I did." opened the door, and slipped through. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes for its centre. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I speckled band?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "Then I am your man." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned unprecedented a position." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to of his shoulders. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been in the port of London." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch cigars in the box." therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when unkempt, staring out at me. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Cross for the Continent." Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at simple cases which are so extremely difficult." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable dramatic, in fact." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning spark where all is dark to me." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "The Cedars?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass waste of energy." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How did that help you?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "You will not go there first?" "No legal papers or certificates?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "How did you trace it, then?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and