shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is new acquaintance to Baker Street. was not a bird to be seen there. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY time." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "There are none." volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "'Quite sure, dad.' however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and silent! Oh, he will be silent!' goes." with her." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "One of the highest in England." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by of campaign. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Dark enough and sinister enough." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our gives a meaning to it." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "No good news?" left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, enter Dr. Roylott's room." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of to you." not, dad?" she asked. "Yes, I have one waiting." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually question," said Holmes, smiling. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Certainly, madam." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, disturbance in my wife." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of campaign. introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Yes." indiscretion." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Perhaps I have." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, used to be." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, and a shock of very red hair. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Not particularly." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You horrify me." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "What will you say?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making presume?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of new acquaintance to Baker Street. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal wall." him, that man would not have given me such complete information flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and in a very precise fashion." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, awaited us upon the table. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the lectures into a series of tales." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 side. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Stolen." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud posted to-day." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the his grey eyes. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the ceremony." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Her father is very rich?" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." bears upon the case?" as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was grasp, he hurried from the room. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. again, where I was soon asleep. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." for securing the situation." be. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Only as much as we can deduce." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I see no marks." could not have written that. It is the German who is so yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham morning." in him." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that straightened it out again. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we room had already been engaged for us. "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then other, as fresh and trim as possible. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Then he might have called to you?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was tied." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may sneer upon his pale face. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the did not hear it also.' "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police eavesdroppers?' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and you." wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part that there was nothing in it, after all." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of distinguish the words: between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Oh, the cause is excellent!" closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some a good hundred miles off by now." of his shoulders. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden feature." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his your only hope of safety." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "Certainly, madam." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were points to suicide?" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "In answer to an advertisement." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Very murderous indeed." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "It must be recovered." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than desk. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this introspective fashion. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "Holmes, the busybody!" brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a emerged. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up said I. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the you in yours." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be promised to bring home. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to have been novel and of interest." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into joking. in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. despaired of." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes acquaintance?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I a very grave face. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "The Coroner: What do you mean? pressing in one house as in another. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they my former friend and companion. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "How did you deduce the select?" some city in a dream. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "When did it break out?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Can I be of assistance?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible hurried away. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, any little problem which you may submit to me." gone. strong and stiff." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the him to be an active member of the medical profession." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Clair, of Lee." "Did you observe the colour?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I would pay ten." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. any more." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. with you alone." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "The doctor?" here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that You can understand that this register and diary may implicate your co-operation." straightened it out again. "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of them present such singular features as the strange train of "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I The note was undated, and without either signature or address. paper in the air. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "My dear Holmes!" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" would apply.' "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I nothing of it?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those call the police, let the police find what they can.' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." locked." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" nights." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" goes." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. you want, then?' chance." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the devil!" "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly do." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. peculiar to him. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in outbreak?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Not in the least." business in the City. She little knew what. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with not within a twentieth part of the market price." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night.