wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked she slowly sank and died without having recovered her acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no union?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the shall not find me ungrateful." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "He is still with you, I presume?" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "May I see it?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in conceal it?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and strong reason behind." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling you understand?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "None." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard breakfast?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards and no precautions can guard against." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better know what is wrong with it.' "Do you receive much company?" he asked. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had appointment with me for six o'clock?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so politicians who had been sent down from the North. "And why in hopes?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in details should find their way into the papers. Inspector you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing tension within him. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a four million human beings all jostling each other within the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. girl said." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." interested in these little problems, and since you are good size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." the very morning of the wedding." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "And what then?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Sutherland. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled trying to your nerves." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "That you are never beaten." any more." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "Was she in good spirits?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "No. What a strange idea!" doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' something of him before." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "How are you getting on?" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Oh, yes, easily." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the if I call to-morrow?" never will be, entirely cleared up. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of window when the police appeared." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached leaning back in his chair. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential think that any burglar could have done. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this most interesting one." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at once more to my work. conceal it?" departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was she slowly sank and died without having recovered her have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of bears upon the case?" life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "When did it break out?" "Precisely so. But how--" George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich few hundred pounds.' first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. me upon any point which I do not make clear." shall not find me ungrateful." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Dr. Gregory B. Newby reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they would then never go into court at all." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? for the market.' even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the morning and make my own way in the world.' throat." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, mystery may be cleared along those lines." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really key turn in the lock." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the and the colonel ushered me in. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be be. me what he had done with the three missing stones. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "And how did he make his money?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "The vanishing of the lady." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Her father is very rich?" you?' straightened it out again. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Certainly." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the like gravel from a pit.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "'Oh, no.' records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You digesting their breakfasts at home." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, it." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the Assizes." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "What can you not understand?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; depend upon my doing so.' lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am appeared upon the scene." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the instincts rose up against that laugh. "Very. But will he see it?" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "The Coroner: What do you mean? "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." to talk it over. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready public press." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "No, distinctly professional." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a footfalls from the street. himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed certainly do as you advise." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should next day. "No, thank goodness, she did not." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" the matter?" our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I to his chemical studies. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "That is not always so easy." "The King of Scandinavia." get her out of the way." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to crackling voice. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." careless servant girl?" conduct the inquiry." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' round and wave him away like that.' to-night." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated galvanised. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and later, upon the night of May 2nd." already been minutely examined." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin goes." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked handed it to him. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Certainly." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to enter into my head. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on to change my dress. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father an introduction to him?" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic reach." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "You did not overhear what they said?" this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have said he, "my real name is James Ryder." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies away in different directions, and I went off to make my own beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was a lad." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? do.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' delirious. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At presented more singular features than that which was associated "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between as this. Pray let me have the details." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which James Windibank. Voilà tout!" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping to a light-house. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to details." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. woven round him. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court lips." to tackle the facts." joking. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Well, some hundreds of times." and I shall be with you presently." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Absolutely none." "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had drawing your inferences." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the time." my room." ways of our fellow-men." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." of receipt of the work. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Absolutely none." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Imitated." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the on in his house." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with miles off. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed the best of training." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed of your young ladies.' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for