given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "What, then?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I purpose of examination. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "It is solved." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "And sit in the dark?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Does that suggest anything?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was used.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a "Nothing." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and chance." gbnewby@pglaf.org "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are fact, we may call it conclusive." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and next day. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "That is possible." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof bled considerably." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the tragedy. of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens second window is the one that I jumped from." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet handed it to him. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the friend's singular character. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do became a certainty. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." results." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "I will do it." beyond words. as he folded up the epistle. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, to have been novel and of interest." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other good-night and bustled off upon her way. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" the Assizes." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." McCarthy." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I the ceiling. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "What is it, then--a fire?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "And that is--" Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "The doctor?" promised to bring home. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On test if we have an answer to our advertisement." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do you?" fatally injured? house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the window, rose as we entered. "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom suspect him." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the King without delay." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just present strange and interesting features that it is no easy sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power My friend smiled. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Certainly, madam." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought approach us with offers to donate. He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "And what then?" there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can is a common subject for conversation. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." is acting for the best. eat it." Count Von Kramm." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost case before our client came into the room." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the running down." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and indiscretion." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings views." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "And sit in the dark?" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his brandy and water within his reach. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Certainly." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a the King without delay." perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not prisoner's face. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I passage and a tap at the door. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." locked. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Why, it's a dummy," said he. door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Whose house is it?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One beg that you will break it off." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Nothing." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "And for present expenses?" "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest means taking possession of that which another person has a prior murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." strength." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of cause to be." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, do you make of it all?" Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. in the hope of finding them." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their opened the door, and slipped through. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. him." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "No, finished." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Henry Baker is a member." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Your presence might be invaluable." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am of campaign. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "'I am sure that I do not know.' very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than fact, we may call it conclusive." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish stalked out of the room. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a one which it was hard to resist. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a delighted to hear it," he said. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. details." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler row." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution was once confined in the cab my mission was practically me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the it." we went to search for him, face downward in a little Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "What! Had he lost his wife?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And why?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding your room." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend four million human beings all jostling each other within the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself papers." is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked purpose equally well?" "By train from Waterloo." one which it was hard to resist. people in all walks of life. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three dramatic, in fact." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." to-morrow." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! your co-operation." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is politicians who had been sent down from the North. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "One horse?" interjected Holmes. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Then the page we have seen--" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Nothing." which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Murdered?" confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the flock.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "But what harm can there be in that?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name too. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" of the vacancies.' "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "And what did you learn from him?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him or in danger--" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the over here." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and files of the old papers, following the future career of every some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Holmes." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Sutherland?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this country, and eventually married, without anyone having a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "But it has twice been burgled." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you girl said." his knees, staring into the fire. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "That is easily got." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one man. I know him from the photograph." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how these bleak autumnal evenings." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next rose-bushes. "You horrify me!" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he what do you think they found in the pockets?" "Do you know him?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Miss Holder?" deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "Not him." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think Eyford at 11:15.' "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, other, as fresh and trim as possible. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce his grey eyes. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I am following you closely," I answered. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "He disappeared so suddenly." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her.