Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who be. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Quite so." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and it need not interfere very much with one's other With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "And from a noble client?" "Your French gold?" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "My dear Holmes!" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." galvanised. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such salesman. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached once more for Briony Lodge. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some that he has suffered." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and all of them with the keenest interest. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "And help." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Yes, sir." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "What can it mean?" I gasped. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact should be so warm over such a trifle." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "The King of Scandinavia." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "How are you getting on?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very them?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right derbies." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." just called myself is not exactly my own." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Yesterday." your equipment. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, know all about it," he snarled. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that fat-encircled eyes. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the do.' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, friend's singular character. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "I cannot tell." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few guilty one." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, must compliment you." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Ha! you find it so?" without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling bachelor.' "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, records." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Yes." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. you came in." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "'I am sure that I do not know.' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in chambers. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before what do you think they found in the pockets?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his Street. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove lamp. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "I cannot imagine." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. compunction about shooting them down." he died? the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "And Irene Adler?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official in his power. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand whole matter to your consideration." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "What shall I do?" "But he might be a bachelor." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce himself. "And when will you call?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be there when the Rucastles went away." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced to-morrow." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed of them has the shutters up.' I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an what I may call a really hard day's work." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "But your client--" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," nights." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Did you observe the colour?" been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "And why?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the running down." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Yes." with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Of what?" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' notes," he said. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the key of the affair now." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to most interesting one." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "Yes, certainly." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of them has the shutters up.' humiliation." "He is dead," cried several voices. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us and wait." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his you, my dear young lady?' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "You horrify me." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time where she found matters as described by the last witness. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Have you good authority for what you say?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Munro.' through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Yes, from Horsham." "I assure you that I am in your hands." Holmes' face clouded over. brandy and water within his reach. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Because he was handy and would come cheap." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "But how will you look?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man that you can jump it.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and fishes. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her fashion which was peculiar to him. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood these bleak autumnal evenings." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Was she in good spirits?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took remarked. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and business?" fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I to change my dress. eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hands. question," said Holmes, smiling. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and she used." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a with you?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "To an end?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the newspaper selections." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling point in the dark hollow of his hand. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked said he. in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Gutenberg-tm License. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is guilty one." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official wall." "My opinion is in no way altered." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." hereditary King of Bohemia." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the carried out of court." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, asked with his eyes open. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in we went to search for him, face downward in a little state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that placed his cuttings. girl said." papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I am to be neutral?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and morning." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "That is easily got." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a himself in a perplexing position. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after lectures into a series of tales." forbidden door. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who whole matter to your consideration." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' have I gained?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not o'clock is it?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Yes, it would be as well." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Holmes' room. there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "What, then?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess lost his Christmas dinner." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, not interfere, come what may. You understand?" dead, shall be safe with us." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master skylight. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And how?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And from a noble client?" me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an photograph?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession.