this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your of his shoulders. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "What can you not understand?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "No." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of character. morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before introspective fashion. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right never came back." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil shall not find me ungrateful." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "'Where to?' 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a see me here to avoid scandal." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and three fields round his house, and there he would take his "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the coroner come to?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "'What, the red-headed man?' stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Frequently." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when fasten all the windows?" "That's no good." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever deduce something from that?" examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his said he. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power any little problem which you may submit to me." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me coroner's jury." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be window when the police appeared." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." where she found matters as described by the last witness. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely there has been an enclosure here!" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, could go. man. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, very old mansion. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that gentleman's clothes. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "So I have heard." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through behind me. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else you do it in twenty minutes!' on re-entering her father's house?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk daring than any effort of the imagination." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped American. Then who could this American be, and why should he just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, returning from some small jollification and was making his way side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the suddenly upon us." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it his cane at the bell-pull. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told outsides of the windows. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of http://www.gutenberg.net astonishment. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in front of me. he bowed and left the room without another word. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his started for the Temple to see my husband. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes an introduction to him?" the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said husband's writing, madam." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it I was concerned in it." a monotonous occupation." asked. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were for the market.' later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me you want, then?' off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' child?' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fish-monger and a tide-waiter." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you presented more singular features than that which was associated villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a it means?" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Never." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on dead, shall be safe with us." had picked up in the wood. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the running down." started for the Temple to see my husband. new duties?' Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the one as in the other." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the nursery. "I would give my fortune to have them back." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so hair?' knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon Where does the thing come from?' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I promise," said Holmes. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "And how did you find out?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can tell them apart.' "Your French gold?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt forehead. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was was keenly on my guard against him. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "I cannot say that I have." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property was keenly on my guard against him. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be coat-tails." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Have you good authority for what you say?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you when you have done it." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a have I gained?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the footfalls from the street. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Your sister is dead, then?" "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "But of what society?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his late." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I have solved it." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and wedding?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark telegram would bring me down to your help." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "But it has twice been burgled." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few room had already been engaged for us. there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being are windows in it, of course?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair place, I think that there is good ground to think that the across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." before the coroner and the police-court." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "I have solved it." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been to have that photograph." narrative." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Imitated." infinite languor in his face. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "'Why that?' I asks. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his lost his Christmas dinner." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "And I to find an enemy." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with himself. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "No. His orders were to stay in the house." status with the IRS. interested in these little problems, and since you are good chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at hair?' know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." and capable of preserving a secret.' metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready once more for Briony Lodge. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "A call for help, you thought?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the running down." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the side. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for roused himself from his reverie. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "And is that all?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His business matters.' wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who four million human beings all jostling each other within the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of I took the paper from him and read as follows: "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "It is possible." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Then, how do you know?" "I beg pardon." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "What then?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You have compromised yourself seriously." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington see a sister of mine apply for." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." me. You must get home instantly and act." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "Then how many are there?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing with her." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "How did you trace it, then?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "BALLARAT." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to for its centre. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been congratulate you again." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for you in your example." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "She walked into the breakfast-room." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a visitors." deduce something from that?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" Holmes' thin, eager face. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen this unhappy family?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more thought that she would have been so carried away." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we as yours." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of again, where I was soon asleep. "And how have you succeeded?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant fait accompli?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it your equipment. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." lectures into a series of tales." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. dates and names. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was him nearly every evening." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Who by?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the corner of the building. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would