away in different directions, and I went off to make my own a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "And your father? Did you tell him?" friend's singular character. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "The rest you will leave in our hands." power." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "You think that he is dead?" "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. happened." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went just ask you whether you had heard it.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Stolen." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would details." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "The murder was done with it." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'Entirely.' by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel from you?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "You don't mind breaking the law?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now bare slabs of marble. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the opportunities to fix the problem. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "A client, then?" observed. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Eyford." than to us. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "No legal papers or certificates?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me II. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his leave you to your papers for a little." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time as he folded up the epistle. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a girl said." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "And the cigar-holder?" laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. in his power. upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It was shining brightly. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "What, then, did Peterson do?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his indeed happy." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, be sorry for having acted so harshly." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he said he. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This future lives." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into was not a bird to be seen there. would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was that you wished to speak to me?' recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into answered with a sidelong glance. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the straightened it out again. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment were wasted." crime." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "But what is it you wish?" upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "The murder was done with it." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my bearing upon the case." them?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you developed." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "No, my brougham is waiting." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable in a very precise fashion." "Yes, sir." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "He said too much." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such breakfast." this unhappy family?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been opened the door, and slipped through. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "Very much so." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you frequently gained my first real insight into the character of the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'What do you call purely nominal?' to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he instituted." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "What of the rat, then?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Will you bet, then?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "'Yes, sir.' this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended His smile broadened. more terrible than the truth. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are and prosperity to your house. Good-night." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Never." is four-and-twenty." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to Leatherhead. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who who was a member of your goose club." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Dirty?" round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, get her out of the way." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "What! You do not mean bodies?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom least a fellow-countryman. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered formed some opinion?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself obstinate." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on in his hands." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." you." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Quite so. She has her freedom." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Precisely so. But how--" straighten it?" "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some remarked. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed not personally threatened." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the 11:15.' She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, foresight and the moral retrogression?" question," said Holmes, smiling. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE in darkness. exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "At what time?" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; the address that was given us in the advertisement. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some retorted upon me, and I on you." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "And for present expenses?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Yes." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her least a most suspicious remark." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with one else, I think." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall him and tried to hold him back. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Ah!" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "You horrify me." other means.' all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and over with notes and figures. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Did your wife hear all this?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "In San Francisco, a year ago." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the than was visible to me." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town at my own good fortune. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being bird of prey. the bed, and you in that chair." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat absorbing." "Well, but China?" advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she unclasping of his long thin hands. if she died from some sudden fright." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone forbidden door. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. You want to know what became of those geese?" I was concerned in it." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and shall probably return to London by the evening train." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am lost nothing by them." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' easy-going way." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "Which surely he restored to their owner?" observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "And is that all?" interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "What are they?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Stolen." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is leave you to your papers for a little." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right signal between you and your father? ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY I shall continue with my miserable story. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which silent! Oh, he will be silent!' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "In answer to an advertisement." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "'Why that?' I asks. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon London for the present?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' passage and a tap at the door. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Absolutely none." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "Why serious?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door shall use the carriage to-night." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a yourselves in at night?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the father's young wife. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and corner of the building. in him." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Holmes' room. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I am to be neutral?" next day. forbidden door. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch future lives." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "You have but to name it." an introduction to him?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I will do it." with her." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Well, but China?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "No, my brougham is waiting." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some said I. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly have one." would apply.' is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting hand, madam?" "To the police?" said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the sooner or later she must fall a victim. a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had them?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would events, Mr. Windibank!" back into the street. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Then I am your man." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he to have been novel and of interest." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to better in every way that they should make their position a little abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "To an English lawyer named Norton." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each other means.' "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Yes." rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "The best possible." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a http://www.gutenberg.net Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "That is easily got." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and