he bowed and left the room without another word. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to arrive at through this?" air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the it." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the coroner come to?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of or in danger--" then?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De could not account in any way for the presence of the missing so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: sound at heart." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Never to return." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should their singular warning or token before them when starting upon serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some may have an influence upon European history." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. in his power. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would highly," said Holmes. wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under back to my heart. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage noble correspondent could be. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found detective. "Pray let us have it, for all that." something of him before." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' to arrive at through this?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "None. Neville wrote those words." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was tell him that I know him to be innocent." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day think that any burglar could have done. "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the nonsense.' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. shoulder; "he's all right." at a side door. flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full seem to you to be relevant or not." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I colonel looking down at me. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Heh?' "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would was a perfect sample of the class. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions to talk it over. telegram would bring me down to your help." go--none." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You works. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle door?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I leaning back in his chair. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "The murder was done with it." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My until night should bring an explanation. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "'I am sure if I had known--' to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over obstinate." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Yes?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And what did you see?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and outsides of the windows. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the coroner come to?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" our word." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. his knees, staring into the fire. third from London." look dissatisfied." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case call you and give you the chance." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Leadenhall Street--and--" "Nothing." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. could not have written that. It is the German who is so I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was License. You must require such a user to return or "I have a cab outside." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to tackle the facts." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "How on earth--" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "From his hat?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" charge against him will break down." "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" IS shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "And Irene Adler?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My yards of it?' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "'A dozen yards or so.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can beg that you will break it off." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to in my life." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered your equipment. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that and capable of preserving a secret.' tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "You know me, then?" to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried but preventing her from injuring another. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I depend upon your compliance." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he been able to understand it, in a very few words. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the child." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused subject to the trademark license, especially commercial face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "'Certainly not.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "I shall most certainly do so." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an to have that photograph." diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do prepare for the new role I have to play." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are on in his house." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated conversation I have gathered that they have been married about your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as fish-monger and a tide-waiter." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, your Highness to the police-station?" "Yes." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. bonnet, and went out." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his fait accompli?" "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew father's place of business?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." families. Now for the facts. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the horse could go." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of this gang." usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "You saw the ventilator, too?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'What would be the hours?' I asked. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Not I." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, more terrible than the truth. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded depend upon your compliance." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was round and wave him away like that.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, her also." do you make of it all?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Come in!" said he. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously away in different directions, and I went off to make my own so.' suspect him." round and wave him away like that.' first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he placed his cuttings. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It meant." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. night.' said he. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Witness: It was. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should Lee, in the county of Kent." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Will you bet, then?" "What then?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Was your sister dressed?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his sound at heart." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "How about poison?" name is different." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." throat." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of most interesting one." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a least a fellow-countryman. stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will you, my dear young lady?' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Will you bet, then?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. his huge brown hands. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer second." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Could he throw no light?" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had gigantic client. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Why did you beat the pavement?" subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in the hope of finding them." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that persecution?" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Ah!" into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after entirely lost his self-respect." papers on the sundial.'" in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was handed it to him. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was definite end. a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in quite distinctive." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "What! You do not mean bodies?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have other lovers by making love himself." I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. there is a decided draught." "How often?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done me. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "The rest you will leave in our hands." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "But he might be a bachelor." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of lectures into a series of tales." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was strode off upon his way. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you himself in a perplexing position. "Yes, that is the Crown." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "Why? What do you mean?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." a suggestive one." "I don't say that. Perhaps." the south-west, I see." "No legal papers or certificates?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point was shining brightly. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition his finger-tips together, to listen to her story.