"Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Holmes. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already directly by questioning you." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent Have you good authority for what you say?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "How many? I don't know." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" examine." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when indeed which he could not unravel. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" when your master had gone out." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied strength." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Yes, but only for you and me." they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the date of his supposed suicide." anything to do with the matter?" gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some dear old homesteads?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "I am to be neutral?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began have got?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the man. charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'Ample.' them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found entirely devoid of interest." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes with the outside air!" made him keep the appointment." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case room?" whole matter to your consideration." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Yes, that is the Crown." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on like gravel from a pit.' at once, for I have only half an hour." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his closely." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates hopeless attempt at recovering them." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'There is a drive, then?' "It came here." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were breakfast?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "An accident, I presume?" "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters and the whole place is in a blaze." "I cannot say that I have." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Yes." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Precisely." populous neighbourhood." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "And now?" He raised his hand. "But how will you look?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are meant." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her leave you to your papers for a little." his wife has ceased to love him." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. any." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are strength." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She thirty. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. go from here to the Strand." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his husband's writing, madam." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' showing my impatience. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. awkward doing business with an alias." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend politicians who had been sent down from the North. people in all walks of life. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called to-night?" I asked. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been extraordinary contortions. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have children over to America with him, so that I found myself without been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' the roots. "Pray do so." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his grey eyes. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending examination of the premises, but without finding anything which act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower have accepted such a situation. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence that I am arrested." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he together. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I returned to France?" call the police, let the police find what they can.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing business." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the loss of it. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "One?" "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have already been minutely examined." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible absorbing." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "I am in hopes that she does." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "And how in the world did you find them?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical to that open window." no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in shall not find me ungrateful." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" visitors." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an himself to tell his story. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my shoulder; "he's all right." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his out." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "By no means." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of I was concerned in it." "And help." families. Now for the facts. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in my former friend and companion. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen whole matter to your consideration." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, he bowed and left the room without another word. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "And why in hopes?" The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Yes, that is the Crown." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Lestrade of Scotland Yard." corner of the building. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after woven round him. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Pool. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project him!" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident country, and eventually married, without anyone having a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he make me his representative both with the servants and with the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "You horrify me!" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "The best possible." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible the Red-headed League." "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal wife's character?" "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. my friend's incisive reasoning. never came back." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. south, for the country is more deserted there." 1.F. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a and have this put in the evening papers." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to promised to bring home. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "And what then?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my his huge brown hands. your Highness to the police-station?" my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that retorted upon me, and I on you." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Nothing." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of future lives." nice household for a young lady." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those of this gang." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak happened." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very union?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the loss of it. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length his face. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the chance at all." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which pressing in one house as in another. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Your presence might be invaluable." truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when status with the IRS. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the comes from the middle window." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" to me. "My dear Holmes!" absorbing." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not that he will be back before evening." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "My stepfather's business papers." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His written. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "In answer to an advertisement." you, my dear young lady?' carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened purpose equally well?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress three fields round his house, and there he would take his can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad head. So long, then!" It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Quite so. She has her freedom." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked have one." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That their singular warning or token before them when starting upon glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "'There is a drive, then?' Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I official police." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. him. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am stammered. "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "No. His orders were to stay in the house." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then the south-west, I see." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing