"'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our very old mansion. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Here?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have their singular warning or token before them when starting upon swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with how narrow had been my escape. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Now, then, what's the last entry?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we anything to do with the matter?" one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'And what are they worth?' I asked. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in business came to an end." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I am still in the dark." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "No, I think that I'll take it." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. awkward doing business with an alias." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long even of instruction." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Could he throw no light?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to tension within him. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing correct than the official force." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then him." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some overpowering excitement and concern. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and who was a member of your goose club." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just recall any case within my experience which looked at the first a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: conduct the inquiry." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, had picked up in the wood. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and where we are going." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" or in danger--" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had and have this put in the evening papers." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt key turn in the lock." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a examine." But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of which our visitor detailed to us. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "How about poison?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Your presence might be invaluable." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Did your wife hear all this?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the address that was given us in the advertisement. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had posted to-day." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I am sure." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and burst out into a roar of laughter. the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards business at Coburg Square is serious." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier manager. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy people in all walks of life. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "I cannot tell." gigantic client. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it key turn in the lock." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. entirely devoid of interest." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she few hundred pounds.' "No good news?" "I am to be neutral?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Where to?' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "What can it mean?" I gasped. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Where does the thing come from?' I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the strong reason behind." "I am armed." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." morning." wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door will he say when he returns?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I assure you that I am in your hands." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There disappearance of these gems?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Did you observe the colour?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the look upon these things in a different way." again, where I was soon asleep. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then, how do you know?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "The knees of his trousers." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Nothing?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire to miss it." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Always." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Her father is very rich?" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm heavy and sharp instrument." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "And what did you learn from him?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock IS month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" how narrow had been my escape. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most eat it." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Who by?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and nothing with him." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Where, then, is my wife?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he late!' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, yourselves in at night?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near ourselves in the office." washing it down with a long draught of water. direction." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." only touch the interest." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring http://gutenberg.net/license). deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "How on earth--" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there will he say when he returns?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Then he might have called to you?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of was once confined in the cab my mission was practically down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in opportunities to fix the problem. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must read it out to me." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded read over the extraordinary announcement. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the article?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most empty. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was http://www.gutenberg.net "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred beg that you will break it off." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is than was visible to me." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Ten will be early enough." father's young wife. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross indeed which he could not unravel. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Stolen." "Never to return." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Tired-looking or fresh?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "An accident, I presume?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "'Yes, it was gone.' had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I see many objections to any such theory." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'I have heard so.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and seem to you to be relevant or not." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'I shall certainly be there.' of campaign. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "How did you trace it, then?" "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so depend upon your compliance." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But been shamefully used." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Really! You surprise me." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Again Holmes raved in the air. "'Which dealer's?' the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those him, that man would not have given me such complete information you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. gone before you can get him to hospital." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." all-comprehensive glances. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, take the flies, but not before." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." there is a decided draught." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the mystery may be cleared along those lines." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. of a light. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "A thing like a cleaver," said he. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Do you know him?" own family. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to was feeling which was the fattest.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray his eyes and forehead. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the