we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with golden eyeglasses. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that think, you have already met." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. had picked up in the wood. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do tapping his fingers upon the table. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I against a man in the prime of life?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "It is half-past ten now." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's have got?" thin legs towards the fire. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "Did you observe the colour?" chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I already been minutely examined." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "'Yes, I promise.' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "What will you do, then?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and laid it on the table. stalked out of the room. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. is acting for the best. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down crime. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to long narrative. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes, all." III. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue and shall probably return to London by the evening train." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by colonel looking down at me. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see occurred." extraordinary contortions. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, business?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his young Openshaw's." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it people in all walks of life. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes envelope. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering before the coroner and the police-court." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight that I am arrested." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'No, I know no one in these parts.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "'Yes, sir.' Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had shadow pass over his face as I spoke. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called place no limit on the sum I may draw." step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say opportunities to fix the problem. to his chemical studies. again before evening." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you really the only notable feature about the thing." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "But we can't all be." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the hair?' "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs shaken than I had ever seen him. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'I shall certainly be there.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." had formerly been in part my own. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the inquest, and which are worth considering." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand information in his hands the value of which he did not himself watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty points in connection with it which never have been, and probably which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic chamber." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "It was." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free present strange and interesting features that it is no easy of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who singular points about the case. What did the police think of the his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lids now and glanced across at his visitor. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "Of Friday, June 19th." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "The gentleman I describe." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there late!' "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" himself to tell his story. rooms." "Entirely." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "That also I could fathom." formed some opinion?" I took the paper from him and read as follows: wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "What steps will you take?" I asked. "No, thank goodness, she did not." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under we went to search for him, face downward in a little Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Ten will be early enough." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Doctor, of the paper and the date." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "I see many objections to any such theory." to that open window." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have yards of it?' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the lumber-room." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand dramatic, in fact." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." mystery may be cleared along those lines." "But he might be a bachelor." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. unprofitable." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine down. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Precisely." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the all?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I will, Miss Turner." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her see me here to avoid scandal." refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a you came in." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk You can understand that this register and diary may implicate located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which may have an influence upon European history." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office but preventing her from injuring another. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "What then?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "But I have heard all that you have heard." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "By all means." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Quite so. She has her freedom." sneer upon his pale face. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then gone. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it might help us?" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet murdered man." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." your bag." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Does that suggest anything?" with her." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of Fenchurch Street." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more know that the truth is known." Holmes' thin, eager face. I held the little printed slip to the light. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew forehead. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and upon an income of about 60 pounds." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Yes." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Yes.' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Yes." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "A confidential servant?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say chill to my heart. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Come in!" said Holmes. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not outsides of the windows. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "It is his hat." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an forebodings. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have to-morrow." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "The King of Scandinavia." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Pray do so." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Will you go?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the nice household for a young lady." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "No, I am descending." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "But I am all in the dark." despaired of." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. morning." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed people in all walks of life. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Bought." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in most interesting one." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, sparkled upon his finger. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the wife's character?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. who was a member of your goose club." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in that, and I came down." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon towards the blaze. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn at my own good fortune. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Proceed, then." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from