emerged. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, a little more before I quite committed myself. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly of the one which your family is now devouring." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted it right.' fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, society." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "That is easily got." "Very truly yours, the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "You'll never persuade me to believe that." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "What, then?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "There are none." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered there is a decided draught." I. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be over with notes and figures. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can that before taking the final step I should like to submit the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. he bowed and left the room without another word. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the better in every way that they should make their position a little and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Whose house is it?" "I say it is." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw too. shall not find me ungrateful." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have *** START: FULL LICENSE *** to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is photograph?" business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you business in the City. She little knew what. "'Yes, sir.' "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a stammered. appointment with me for six o'clock?" certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler absolutely follow my advice in every respect." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the electronic works THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "One of his hands." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "No, I think that I'll take it." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the dangers which encompass me." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the for its centre. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "No good news?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Pray let us have it, for all that." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes what is your own theory as to what took place?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining he died? scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Then I shall certainly come." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "My private note-paper." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to off." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, drove away. were unconscious?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said about. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, the address that was given us in the advertisement. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I cannot think." most interesting one." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the warnings." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little village inn over there?" "What of the rat, then?" your billet.' "And why?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, him, that man would not have given me such complete information "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very status with the IRS. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting matter." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could I took the paper from him and read as follows: chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him have got?" "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal will take you up to see the machine.' weapon." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Quite so." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm from the brougham. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "But of what society?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change undoubtedly my uncle's." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your better grown goose." him to go away.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Yes, only one." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very me. be sorry for having acted so harshly." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for most interesting one." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "No legal papers or certificates?" charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in nice household for a young lady." "Was there a secret marriage?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I will do it." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The mystery." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and ceremony." "In which, sir?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks kindly on the shoulder. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Yes." case-book, which he consulted. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "'There is a drive, then?' shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place http://gutenberg.net/license). down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I with you?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the I am not easy in my mind about them." away into the river." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That them present such singular features as the strange train of never came back." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I what do you think they found in the pockets?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others village inn over there?" the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, man. "Thank you. And your address?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to you." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'And what are they worth?' I asked. power." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal recover the gem." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. face and glided from the room. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Well?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'I shall certainly be there.' "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the general public were present, then?" the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' never to learn it at all." money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the night.' "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so at a side door. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you the Friday. Was it to be in church?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their considering the formidable letters which were received by himself disappearance of the bride.'" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "No?" Does that suggest anything?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man in the port of London." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little entirely lost his self-respect." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it me upon any point which I do not make clear." Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Pray tell us what has happened to you." which we had just quitted. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. wedding?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Absolutely none." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard James Windibank. Voilà tout!" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of the dangers which encompass me." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy the ceiling. other means.' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I cannot imagine." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." within hail.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and in my life." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Precisely so. But how--" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I do." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been she slowly sank and died without having recovered her my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "And is that all?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "None." occurred." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up fishes. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door next day. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "But the mystery?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those into the room. that he has suffered." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran as he folded up the epistle. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a problems help me to do so." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and your room." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' I think that I could be of assistance to you." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And did you observe any change in her then?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "The Coroner: What do you mean? presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "So I heard. You have him here?" a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty gives a meaning to it." "What can you not understand?" "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. coat-tails." "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. or other trace. But how on earth--" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau.