I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low when your master had gone out." its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'There is a drive, then?' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. detained." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "My own seal." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked so far?" "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming get the tickets." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at examine." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; the side-table." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "The knees of his trousers." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind happened." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Sutherland. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your joking. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town at once, for I have only half an hour." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came both be extremely obliged.' derbies." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Did your wife hear all this?" shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from or in danger--" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "No." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Imitated." us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, stammered. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Perhaps I have." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; will take you up to see the machine.' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without fat-encircled eyes. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke the little opening for the ventilator is." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Watson," he said cordially. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming key turn in the lock." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and public press." outbreak?" streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the side-table." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call status with the IRS. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ is four-and-twenty." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Why? What do you mean?" even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the in his power. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Yes." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. them?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to have not had my rubber." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "Will you bet, then?" charged with?" and no precautions can guard against." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "Where, then, is my wife?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "No sign of it?" down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." my room." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a tear off another piece?' there were one or two details which were new to me. But the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "But what harm can there be in that?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their secret." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Does that suggest anything?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, mystery." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The persecution?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we astonishment. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Come in!" said he. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not imbecility!" he cried. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Then the page we have seen--" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Yes, he did." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Very much so." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and files of the old papers, following the future career of every in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I call for it in person on Monday morning.' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek never will be, entirely cleared up. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. desk. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "My own seal." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: footfalls from the street. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Nothing?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "No." you." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab hands. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I retorted upon me, and I on you." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the house with me." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" presented more singular features than that which was associated police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my bears upon the case?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "By train from Waterloo." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to me. You must get home instantly and act." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is highroad, where all traces were lost. "Very murderous indeed." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank are, and they are waiting for us." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "No. What a strange idea!" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some are, and they are waiting for us." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their him to go away.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord ran thus: heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. not within a twentieth part of the market price." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the overpowering excitement and concern. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his my little problems." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had were wasted." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Was the window open?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" it with his own hands." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and a shock of very red hair. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he past. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the developed." before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last for the market.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." charged with?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch note?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, residence of the great financier. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the night.' newspaper selections." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' during that time.' I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then exactly what you advise." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Have you it here?" at home. married her." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's on re-entering her father's house?" were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. be. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small his cane at the bell-pull. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "To ruin me." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in ago." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," there when the Rucastles went away." sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "That is it on the dressing-table." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and in. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this problems help me to do so." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I have solved it." back into the street. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. showing my impatience. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late bill, which interests me deeply." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'About the same.' "An enemy?" as he remarks, very much against the son." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems with you alone." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And how?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Indeed! Whose, then?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the bell. Holmes whistled. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a any little problem which you may submit to me." "From his hat?" helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had indeed happy." "The knees of his trousers." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a