varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "In which, sir?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that really the only notable feature about the thing." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "It surprised me." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "My own seal." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Mrs. Toller serenely. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Chief Executive and Director Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "Frequently." crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "The knees of his trousers." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and she might be summoned. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Where, then, is my wife?" "But he might be a bachelor." band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "I think that it is very probable." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "No, finished." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the companion quietly. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Proceed, then." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the station." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was formed some opinion?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "I do." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Yes, from Horsham." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door pictures, libraries, or plate. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the them?" "You have a clue?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place bearing upon the case." was it brought him the coronet? if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I man. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! look dissatisfied." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. husband's writing, madam." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" you." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed chance." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." take the flies, but not before." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." stalked out of the room. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she acquaintance?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "It missed him, then?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you generous with you in money matters.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand putting in the horse. you." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of have accepted such a situation. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "It is half-past ten now." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "And now?" He raised his hand. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "It must be recovered." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see will take you up to see the machine.' whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave not come at once?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Sutherland?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I you?' from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as habit of advancing money.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I fear not." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "That you are never beaten." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just letters?" respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Oh, yes, easily." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "The doctor?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached strong and stiff." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "And who is her maid?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the train.' still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" rooms." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set help us in this matter." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you McCarthy's innocence. "How on earth--" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his in a very precise fashion." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that looking up at the numbers of the houses." presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an bachelor.' reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, which our visitor detailed to us. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened undoubtedly my uncle's." he bowed and left the room without another word. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and strong reason behind." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. delighted to hear it," he said. "'What then?' I asked. We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible main points of my analysis." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "That is not always so easy." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming straightened it out again. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than vague figure huddled up in the darkness. past. went to the Alpha were town bred." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide as he folded up the epistle. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, to affect your life." desk. writer." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the unprecedented a position." "No, but the enclosure is." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem certainly not very gracious." room?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all not as remarkable as your advertisement." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "He said that you could solve anything." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our forebodings. the devil!" had died away into the silence from which it rose. all-comprehensive glances. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Stolen, then." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may Watson," he said cordially. "There is the writing." the date of his supposed suicide." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she someone who had been in Australia." the matter." certainly not very gracious." kindly on the shoulder. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Clair, of Lee." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped it. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main unprecedented a position." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency clanging. chambers. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid could not have written that. It is the German who is so "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Do you go out much in society?" himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client more terrible than the truth. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to surprise her." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a answer." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young their singular warning or token before them when starting upon The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." gbnewby@pglaf.org Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "And why in hopes?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' was lame." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and The King stared at him in amazement. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Will you go?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, second." idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will young Openshaw's." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "But I am all in the dark." made him keep the appointment." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "And your mother is alive?" separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I am to be neutral?" "Nothing?" From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too been shamefully used." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "You horrify me!" "Yes, he did." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "You have compromised yourself seriously." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "In answer to an advertisement." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you seen the man in the road." weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "How did he come?" "The knees of his trousers." whole matter to your consideration." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I out of this horrible affair." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and unprofitable." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Ten will be early enough." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. true." side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he helping a boy to put up the shutters. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'As governess?' fear." "I should be immensely obliged to you." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view on in his house." present." system of imprisonment?" them?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself certainly not very gracious." My friend smiled. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. affection." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "What!" he roared. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, relation between them, and what the object of his repeated it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "But who is he?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a you want, then?' King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. people don't know." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to who was a member of your goose club." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." For additional contact information: sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "But the mystery?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is