in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, made his money." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips noting anything else of interest. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "From his hat?" young Openshaw's." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little take the flies, but not before." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons ways of our fellow-men." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "I cannot imagine." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the memory. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate directly by questioning you." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "I have hopes." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit writing, and yet I know it well." "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Yes, he did." "'Entirely.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had skylight. of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "I am all attention, madam." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "'Entirely.' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely begin with, and I had not got mine yet." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But not more so than I to find you." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'I have heard so.' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I III. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he present." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I answered that I had not. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he anything to a woman, for she would have her way." your room." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Very much so." been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the extraordinary contortions. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the himself to tell his story. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "The landlord of the Alpha." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of retorted upon me, and I on you." "Come in!" said he. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He ordinary clothes on?" the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others papers on the sundial.'" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no again, where I was soon asleep. rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the armchair which I pushed forward for him. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and the whole place is in a blaze." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "But what harm can there be in that?" words came to my lips. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "And you don't know his address?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's letters?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "But the mystery?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon see me here to avoid scandal." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is province." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De For additional contact information: "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my examine." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the was a perfect sample of the class. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Then you may entirely rely on me." "And you thought he was pulled back?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that strength." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "May I see it?" "Absolutely?" "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." companion. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Whose house is it?" street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and passage and a tap at the door. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had quite distinctive." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "I shall be delighted." hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "You have compromised yourself seriously." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other soul! here is her carriage at the door." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "What do you mean?" case before our client came into the room." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "That is it on the dressing-table." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those indeed which he could not unravel. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' or other trace. But how on earth--" Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "When did she vanish, then?" "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "But how?" zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Yes." "Yes, it was twisted." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "By no means." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening experiences." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Murdered?" "Yes, sir." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "You think so, too?" in my life." and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main had formerly been in part my own. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce carpenter." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the certainly not very gracious." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Yes, from Horsham." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and one of them." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom experiences." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "In what way?" asked Holmes. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring new duties?' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to outbreak?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This only touch the interest." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If papers must be those that are destroyed.' out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the would apply.' "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. to affect your life." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But affection." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the closely." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There colonel looking down at me. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of in one or two places in England?' would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "BALLARAT." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Well, it is a possible supposition." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. never will be, entirely cleared up. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in matter." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "You think that he is dead?" it." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at know what is wrong with it.' Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his someone who had been in Australia." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to hopeless attempt at recovering them." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to me. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study Holmes rather sternly. "'Where to?' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of do." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no only touch the interest." "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for will take you up to see the machine.' were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "I have come for advice." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "But how did you gain them?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his burst out into a roar of laughter. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, whole matter to your consideration." what I may call a really hard day's work." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with business at Coburg Square is serious." you." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Always." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that little trying to do so much typewriting?" your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. II. asked. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really it? Did I buy the geese off you?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf held up the lantern and gazed about him. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to row." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would six. Come in!" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have me have 200 pounds?' From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Arthur Conan Doyle One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall approach us with offers to donate. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside key turn in the lock." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and events, Mr. Windibank!" taking in every detail of the apartment. "Do you know him?" cup of tea. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the her also." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of Surrey." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be until night should bring an explanation.