the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. of this gang." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a been able to understand it, in a very few words. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'What are you doing there?' he asked. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow once more to my work. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Why did you beat the pavement?" overpowering excitement and concern. quickly through a disagreeable task. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the skylight. occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Where did he live, then?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Well?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Will you bet, then?" be best to do. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Then I am your man." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own or in danger--" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. main points of my analysis." "Perfectly so." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as said he. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure you for a few hours?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "What will you say?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for union?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." a little more before I quite committed myself. main points of my analysis." copied or distributed: given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between noting anything else of interest. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "Yes, sir." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had mystery!" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress I held the little printed slip to the light. detective. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." rat could hardly pass through." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and wait." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made burst out into a roar of laughter. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "I will try. What is it?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "To ruin me." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "A confidential servant?" shoulder. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock be. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the corner of the building. than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of hurried by. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'I shall certainly be there.' mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood pictures, libraries, or plate. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against even of instruction." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side his wife has ceased to love him." clang of the bell. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "But you would not advise me to refuse?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' in him." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "And your mother is alive?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "But who is he?" "How do you know, then?" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, foot. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to which we had just quitted. "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were he bowed and left the room without another word. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "It is half-past ten now." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I seven miles from Eyford Station.' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable details." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "And I." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied 1.F. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds The summons was a brief and urgent one. that there was nothing in it, after all." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Which are?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan later, upon the night of May 2nd." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I province." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Yes, that is the Crown." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with your billet.' Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the over part of the map. "What do you read?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched like gravel from a pit.' weigh very heavily upon my conscience." photograph?" with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich Holmes rather sternly. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the out of this horrible affair." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I am in hopes that she does." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few jewels which you have stolen?' mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I During two years I have had three consultations and one small horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An were unconscious?" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk weighed down with some great anxiety. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "What can you not understand?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'I have heard so.' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and think that any burglar could have done. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience round and wave him away like that.' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of in one or two places in England?' "Here?" "BALLARAT." have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the not come at once?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a promised to bring home. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this and the colonel ushered me in. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we along the entire front of the house, with three long windows was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any gigantic client. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Yes?" "One?" Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I cannot say that I have." fire. You quite follow me?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "'Very good.' what is your own theory as to what took place?" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to happened." lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' some water from a caraffe. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. better grown goose." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "It came here." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little himself to hunt down. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her the night.' heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he never to learn it at all." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, it was twisted." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I will, Miss Turner." "It is possible." went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the despair." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he it." think that any burglar could have done. you, my dear young lady?' recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence During two years I have had three consultations and one small "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like DAMAGE. Lee, in the county of Kent." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I don't believe it." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Did you become engaged then?" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "That is not always so easy." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John disappearance of these gems?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and as yours." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "You have but to name it." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I have my revolver," said I. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock head. So long, then!" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "But you have hopes?" Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "It is very clear." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to 'please.'" "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "You will not go there first?" "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your such attractions and accomplishments?' "What then?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "No, my brougham is waiting." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: