we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time it." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "The gentleman I describe." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Foundation they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project strange features which were associated with the two crimes which deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I took the paper from him and read as follows: everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not are windows in it, of course?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. is four-and-twenty." disappearance of these gems?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not like gravel from a pit.' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we During two years I have had three consultations and one small some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I prepare for the new role I have to play." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the prisoner's face. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "What then?" "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked have established a very serious case against the son of the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." had this final quarrel? "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed past. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a exactly what you advise." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he 11:15.' are, and they are waiting for us." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I would pay ten." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "ARAT," I read. "What of the rat, then?" something of him before." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. present." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "The vanishing of the lady." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the nothing of it?" Holmes rather sternly. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in the hope of finding them." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis the iron safe, which he closed upon it. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps go from here to the Strand." note?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "What have you done?" asked Holmes. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project approach us with offers to donate. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of had picked up in the wood. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as me. You must get home instantly and act." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "And you thought he was pulled back?" painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to whole matter to your consideration." this as likely?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "She told me to ask you." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Did you become engaged then?" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "A greater distance to travel." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "'I have already given you my word.' the coronet at all injured?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the as the one I chose?' centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "It's nothing of the kind." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack brain must have something in it." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, it." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I recover the gem." present." "I have solved it." friends, not even his own brother. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "What!" he roared. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I never came back." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my call it cruel." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic conduct the inquiry." http://gutenberg.net/license). correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, II. "ARAT," I read. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" of a light. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "But you would not advise me to refuse?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began washing it down with a long draught of water. did not hear it also.' back to my heart. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "You have a clue?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. empty. it were putty." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I answered that I had not. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Henry Baker is a member." of Fenchurch Street." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has wife's character?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two not use it unless it is absolutely needed." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "Absolutely?" morning." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Why, it's a dummy," said he. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' night.' said he. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his house for five minutes.' "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Was the window open?" line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over if she died from some sudden fright." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered in this note: assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "The Cedars?" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America him. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I as yours." of Mr. Rucastle's." late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the telegram would bring me down to your help." relief. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Two days later this same performance was gone through under written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and The King stared at him in amazement. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Not in a good cause." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is in a friendly supper." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY closely." "My stepfather's business papers." I have it here in my museum." "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." carriage. It was a chestnut." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some conceal it?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to the tragedy. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom that?' "But to whom?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again father's young wife. "It is a murder, then?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" nights." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his out." her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and to-night's adventure." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that to me. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that your own bird, so if you wish--" possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too detained." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" since then to throw any light upon what became of him." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "She walked into the breakfast-room." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "'Quite sure, dad.' have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Witness: Nothing definite. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'A dozen yards or so.' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project back into the street. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Doctor, of the paper and the date." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry upon an income of about 60 pounds." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Then I shall certainly come." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "And you can do nothing until then?" sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. Countess of Morcar's?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "But we can't all be." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I promise," said Holmes. me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Munro.' 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting this Miss Turner." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her look upon these things in a different way." It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "Not in a good cause." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "My dear Holmes!" particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, brandy and water within his reach. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action grasp, he hurried from the room. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House already been minutely examined." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the warnings." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And tied." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "What I expected to see." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "Ah, but I was recommended to you." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "But how?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation said I. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I I leave." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary business?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been goes." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped him to be an active member of the medical profession." new acquaintance to Baker Street. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the Red-headed League." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no your room." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" see me here to avoid scandal." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "She walked into the breakfast-room." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, wife's character?" "I do." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that