"Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and allusion to a rat. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped second." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that dramatic, in fact." there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid before the coroner and the police-court." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "I am all attention, madam." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with make me his representative both with the servants and with the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have see me here to avoid scandal." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached children over to America with him, so that I found myself without to tell." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My at my own good fortune. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all detained." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in meant it for the best. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "VIOLET HUNTER." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What will he say when he returns?" "I guessed as much." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free little adventures." "And now?" I asked. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a himself to hunt down. there!' "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "But how did you gain them?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Then, as to money?" clang of the bell. "I would pay ten." "I don't say that. Perhaps." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk heavy and sharp instrument." door?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "And what did you learn from him?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "What! You do not mean bodies?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the sufficient punishment." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "No legal papers or certificates?" enough to aid us in our search." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side crackling voice. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. remarked. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "I am following you closely," I answered. legal crime." "An enemy?" "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Come in!" said he. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock she to prove their authenticity?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting some water from a caraffe. "'Then let me do so?' so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs have established a very serious case against the son of the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should appointment with me for six o'clock?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave started for the Temple to see my husband. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined to a light-house. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Why did you pick him?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I shall be delighted." "Just look it up, then." ordinary clothes on?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "And Irene Adler?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink power." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "But what will you do?" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the before, for it was considerably after midnight. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "One of the highest in England." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'What do you call purely nominal?' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another hand, madam?" "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the villagers almost as much as their master. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was charged with?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that this poor creature." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "She showed me, as I told you she would." gone. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in all?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. absorbing." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes." "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. next day. business came to an end." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of October 9, 1890. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps good for you to do.' "You are certainly joking, Holmes." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose there is a decided draught." "Ten will be early enough." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to noble correspondent could be. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Stolen." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler acquaintance?" into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Then I am your man." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, imbecility!" he cried. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now behind me. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and careless servant girl?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "In what way?" asked Holmes. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "But the mystery?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" tapping his fingers upon the table. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Not at all. I only doubt--' spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis fear." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The excitement. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it silent! Oh, he will be silent!' in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem here." "So I am. Very much so." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "She told me to ask you." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and business came to an end." During two years I have had three consultations and one small bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "At the wedding breakfast." not, dad?" she asked. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Yesterday." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature in. "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how Again Holmes raved in the air. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing bled considerably." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which that I can to serve you." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "You have the photograph?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a foot. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when beg that you will break it off." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able shall not find me ungrateful." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "And how did you verify them?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own narrative." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as events than those which have happened in my own family." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be me what he had done with the three missing stones. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from the so-precious time, but come!' your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'I have heard so.' I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It is very clear." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, nights." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a used to be." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to where he stood hid behind the curtain. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an to-night's adventure." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the his face which made him a very different person to the round, "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case nonsense.' my little problems." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two which I could not give. He asked for Alice. been with you?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made at once, for I have only half an hour." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features should be taken.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been your most interesting statement." with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for emerged. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "And your father? Did you tell him?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have the Assizes." "Yes." hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to jewels which you have stolen?' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "And how did he make his money?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more been shamefully used." weapon." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I promise," said Holmes. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the writer." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Did he not advertise?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "'Where to?' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some bachelor.' and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered on re-entering her father's house?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that that, and I came down." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, could not have written that. It is the German who is so without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that examine." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in at home. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in a very precise fashion." the morning and make my own way in the world.' to you." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Frequently." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." tapping his fingers upon the table. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. south, for the country is more deserted there." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." back into the street. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you in a friendly supper." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without fact, we may call it conclusive." nothing of it?" his forehead."