daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will photograph a cabinet?" was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not frequently gained my first real insight into the character of Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will promised to bring home. "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "'Yes, I promise.' you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out Sholtos." upon the shelf for the interim." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Ample." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the I took the paper from him and read as follows: advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel that you saw all that I did." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," side. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "'Yes, I promise.' the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, indiscretion." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself was already answered. wedding?" "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." will take you up to see the machine.' real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal lost nothing by them." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with status with the IRS. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." electronic works Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "It is possible." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now question. letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and straighten it?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old to have that photograph." respectable self." Heh?' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw situation." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she do.' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You key turn in the lock." "Yes." "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And your mother is alive?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. waste of energy." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Leadenhall Street--and--" dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black window when the police appeared." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is call for it in person on Monday morning.' coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, before, for it was considerably after midnight. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" quick march!" the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return new duties?' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "One horse?" interjected Holmes. chance." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both morning." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. before the coroner and the police-court." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'How far from the body?' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Holmes, the busybody!" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." was already answered. Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the vault. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. you." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net should be taken.' work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "What then?" "But not more so than I to find you." dead, shall be safe with us." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "But the mystery?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, then?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I am still in the dark." said he at last. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." in his power. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "It is to him that this trophy belongs." think, you have already met." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Mrs. Toller serenely. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always matters immensely." you." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack might help us?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He interested in these little problems, and since you are good said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her thirty. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away once more to my work. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "What will you do, then?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall questioning and rather startled gaze. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the window, rose as we entered. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the purpose equally well?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Upon what point?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The go back?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, correct than the official force." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the families. Now for the facts. be.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the Countess of Morcar's?" there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it is entirely a question of barometric pressure." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up comes from the middle window." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Has he come with you to-night?" along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that comes from the middle window." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the me. You must get home instantly and act." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three your most interesting statement." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." never came back." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those should be so warm over such a trifle." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Does that suggest anything?" eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "That also I could fathom." "If I can be of use." "Not him." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "But of what society?" upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something other means.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the The police have openly confessed that they can at present make daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered views." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "You did not overhear what they said?" "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with putting in the horse. status with the IRS. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring she to prove their authenticity?" happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Oh, fresh and glossy." the coronet in his hand?" yourselves in at night?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced chance." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was washing it down with a long draught of water. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved whole matter to your consideration." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then of the one which your family is now devouring." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens The events in question occurred in the early days of my details." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which morning." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the stepfather?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things woman." to surprise her." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "But we can't all be." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "My last client of the sort was a king." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Street. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I unkempt, staring out at me. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "If I can be of use." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand searched, without anything being found which could incriminate obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had the so-precious time, but come!' father's place of business?" it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. matters immensely." "Always." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded will not take me long to tell. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, speckled band?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Serpentine Avenue. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set occupations.' making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "No bad?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "No." article?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the armchair which I pushed forward for him. heavy and sharp instrument." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable him." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of campaign. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to change my dress. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps entirely lost his self-respect." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were was shining brightly. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my