gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an indiscretion." tell them apart.' from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is and inquire as to the address." "And who is her maid?" are, and they are waiting for us." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle few hundred pounds.' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "I don't believe it." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom friends, not even his own brother. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from II. "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "But how will you look?" "He said too much." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "None." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself place of silver." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more trying to your nerves." "Frequently." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous made his money." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is newspaper selections." meant it for the best. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Certainly." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the Assizes." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and glanced through. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Of what?" armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building of." "But how?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'I have already given you my word.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the any." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I father's young wife. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "The best possible." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary the very morning of the wedding." look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The there!' upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If throat." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had once more. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "'Most admirably.' "That also I could fathom." situation." The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the October 9, 1890. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let hour?' have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office you in yours." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at sake, don't!" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "But the mystery?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Not particularly." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." your own bird, so if you wish--" strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less spark where all is dark to me." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, remarked. "Yes, certainly." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, anything to do with the matter?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white without success. At last the little money which I had saved began waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" something of him before." call it cruel." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me you." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down own family. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Quite so." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I goes." interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever in the port of London." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by round and wave him away like that.' "'What, the red-headed man?' "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "We have tried and failed." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "And the murderer?" for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I himself. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce photograph a cabinet?" to talk it over. that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "But how?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to that open window." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "'Yes, sir.' Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us several quiet little villages up there." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. instituted." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I within hail.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "It surprised me." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'In my own bureau.' felt?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Your presence might be invaluable." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But highly," said Holmes. skylight. you came in." sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little strength in the others." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any use an arc-and-compass breastpin." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" me upon any point which I do not make clear." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of any." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, lumber-room." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Then I shall certainly come." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day that?' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a London for the present?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward absorbing." "It is possible." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage photograph a cabinet?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for me what he had done with the three missing stones. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Does that suggest anything?" the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you depend upon my doing so.' "Precisely so. But how--" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry bears upon the case?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the works. straighten it?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "It missed him, then?" of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of it with the greatest attention. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are searched, without anything being found which could incriminate room?" "'What, the red-headed man?' Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from perplexity from it to my illustrious client. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I peculiar to him. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For forbidden door. "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress generous with you in money matters.' reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me note?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a done what I asked you, Jones?" wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of enter into my head. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the noting anything else of interest. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: that?' ashen face. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a child?' I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I warn you that they are very incomplete." hard-headed British jury." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was until night should bring an explanation. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off one which it was hard to resist. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the within hail.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I don't say that. Perhaps." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the salesman. photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an miles off. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Not in a good cause." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into head. So long, then!" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have to arrive at through this?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a said I. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the lectures into a series of tales." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, said I. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. had picked up in the wood. "No, I am descending." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, said I. foot. both be extremely obliged.' his wife has ceased to love him." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I little trying to do so much typewriting?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Quite so." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "And how did you find out?" you." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "And how have you succeeded?" started for the Temple to see my husband. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fishes. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. McCarthy." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for evidence," I remarked. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this way: was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was know what is wrong with it.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong province." roused himself from his reverie. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "No." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and how narrow had been my escape. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of his shoulders. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks