one else, I think." "It certainly sounds feasible." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "None. Neville wrote those words." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the inquest, and which are worth considering." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. been with you?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did sit on the left-hand side of the driver." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little father's place of business?" this poor creature." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Bought." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "How did you trace it, then?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a shoulder; "he's all right." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness laugh and put his lips to my ear. congenial hunt. enter into my head. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "And did you observe any change in her then?" Street. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with and glanced through. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to time." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a bell. Holmes whistled. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Can I be of assistance?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "My dear Holmes!" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a of it with the greatest attention. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend union?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan my little problems." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "And how did you find out?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the my little problems." closing the door. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his the night.' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, What do you deduce from it?" say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "None." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. mystery may be cleared along those lines." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as grasp, he hurried from the room. I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes' room. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend during that time.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "She showed me, as I told you she would." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Of Friday, June 19th." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Seven!" I answered. time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the night.' the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were room?" at home. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in writing, and yet I know it well." events, Mr. Windibank!" Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the you in your example." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon will take you up to see the machine.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "But I am all in the dark." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Well?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and glanced through. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with a suggestive one." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled know all about it," he snarled. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "But she will refuse." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in it with his own hands." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending done what I asked you, Jones?" presume?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of in. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Well." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" business." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "My dear Holmes!" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every train.' "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "What shall I do?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "What will you say?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to night.' said he. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "How many? I don't know." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that shall use the carriage to-night." "He is still with you, I presume?" "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith there was no need for father to know." "That is unusual in a young girl." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'And what salary do you ask?' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a dead, shall be safe with us." believe that I should never have any practice at all. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine laugh and put his lips to my ear. "By no means." window when the police appeared." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been there when the Rucastles went away." me, and I could not think that his explanation of the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. McCarthy." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I should wish to." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "I came to find a friend." This is what he says: be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "My opinion is in no way altered." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at miles off. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. morning." "I was sure that I might rely on you." "BALLARAT." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The which was all perfectly true. I shall continue with my miserable story. "You have a clue?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving bill, which interests me deeply." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "My Mary? Impossible!" "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "She will not sell." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can strode off upon his way. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside mystery!" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a ran thus: papers must be those that are destroyed.' beyond words. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking be sorry for having acted so harshly." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, there when the Rucastles went away." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "That is unusual in a young girl." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. more terrible than the truth. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I warn you that they are very incomplete." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Your French gold?" Countess of Morcar's?" in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "The rest you will leave in our hands." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. later, upon the night of May 2nd." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his I took the paper from him and read as follows: Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the he. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the little opening for the ventilator is." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Yes, sir." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear business?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of This is what he says: the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "How do you know, then?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you ready to-morrow?' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Certainly." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up three of the beryls in it, was missing. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of begin with, and I had not got mine yet." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret the coroner come to?" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose a very grave face. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you room had already been engaged for us. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your I am not easy in my mind about them." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must mystery may be cleared along those lines." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. the Assizes." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All there when the Rucastles went away." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY once more to my work. o'clock is it?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite confronted him. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit will not take me long to tell. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One guilty one." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "It certainly sounds feasible." "No." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white as he remarks, very much against the son." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a delirious. "I cannot imagine." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal whether it answered to the description of any of their To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "And I say east," said my patient. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might been shamefully used." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society nothing of it?" covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It looks newer than the other things?" to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." which was all perfectly true. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the tear off another piece?' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his carpenter." to-morrow." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Not yet." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I dramatic, in fact." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Of what day?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." chemical work which was so dear to him. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "No." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "But how?"