round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "You have but to name it." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." populous neighbourhood." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you flock.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Nothing?" stood on the top of it. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "What, then?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to even so self-evident a thing as that." clang of the bell. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, chance at all." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, once more for Briony Lodge. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the house with me." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in clanging. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit means taking possession of that which another person has a prior her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what business in the City. She little knew what. obstinate." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Can I be of assistance?" it means?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "One horse?" interjected Holmes. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in delirious. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "What is it?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the amused." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "None." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading her also." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the so-precious time, but come!' "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on disturbance in my wife." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "You have compromised yourself seriously." "You were travelling in the States?" companion quietly. colonel looking down at me. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, http://www.gutenberg.net habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in the house with me." speckled band?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Street. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Yes, only one." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre fasten all the windows?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of what do you think they found in the pockets?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his chair. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I assure you that I am in your hands." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "We have tried and failed." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't heavy and sharp instrument." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. yet." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It client, rising. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed thirty. "What have you to say now?" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from pictures, libraries, or plate. But Holmes shook his head gravely. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from became a certainty. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Breckinridge is his name." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And how did you verify them?" I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, easy-going way." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Nothing?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, you want, then?' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." meant." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "I don't believe it." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Frequently." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Chief Executive and Director room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Nothing." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already and effective." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Yes, I promise.' him to go away.' promised to bring home. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some behind me. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. I shall communicate with you." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "I think that it is very probable." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "And on what day did he meet his death?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts in the port of London." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" suspect him." "But what will you do?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; nonsense.' Sholtos." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" is four-and-twenty." and wait." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most any more." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "And why?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Yes." tell him that I know him to be innocent." "The vanishing of the lady." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "At the wedding breakfast." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass politicians who had been sent down from the North. The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Stoke Moran?" said he. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets down. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Upon what point?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a read over the extraordinary announcement. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Yes." washing it down with a long draught of water. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' her also." "Yesterday." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Never." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." later, upon the night of May 2nd." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly horse could go." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a your billet.' your room." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "A call for help, you thought?" When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the any." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Not yet." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very me upon any point which I do not make clear." what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Yes." "And how?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking believe that I should never have any practice at all. never to learn it at all." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this legal crime." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "'Where to?' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the side-table." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "Really! You surprise me." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great your own bird, so if you wish--" "That also I could fathom." light and attacked it." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the system of imprisonment?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Yes, sir." minor matters until to-morrow." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Very truly yours, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my me. you want, then?' Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, matter." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been memory. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is foot. "But you have hopes?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased your Highness to the police-station?" to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." bare slabs of marble. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "By train from Waterloo." house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "You think so, too?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on laugh and put his lips to my ear. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Yes?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. do.' "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several I held the little printed slip to the light. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord would then never go into court at all." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" said I. to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she Mary, has deserted me." "What I expected to see." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have speckled band?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do at my own good fortune. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The my friend's incisive reasoning. "Your sister is dead, then?" excitement. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt there was no need for father to know." had this final quarrel? their singular warning or token before them when starting upon newspaper selections." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "Breckinridge is his name." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'Where to?' "Upon what point?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this chamber." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar."