an introduction to him?" enough to aid us in our search." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Where, then, is my wife?" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Then what has happened to him?" thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner companion. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time man. "9th. McCauley cleared. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his amused." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass his cane at the bell-pull. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never had no one to advise her at such a crisis." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "And did you observe any change in her then?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I was mad--insane." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Did he not advertise?" This is what he says: Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" the driver. "Who was the criminal, then?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "He said that you could solve anything." "Will you go?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a him to go away.' light and attacked it." hurried away. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH your only hope of safety." matter." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "My Mary? Impossible!" favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the lost nothing by them." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Come in!" said Holmes. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "I see no marks." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and said he, "my real name is James Ryder." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second the very morning of the wedding." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her certainly do as you advise." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it gone. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up asked. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the but preventing her from injuring another. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Yes." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which think that any burglar could have done. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Pray do so." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the have an American origin." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But she will refuse." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are This is what he says: careless servant girl?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't face and glided from the room. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the of Fenchurch Street." "I am to be neutral?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. footfalls from the street. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "'Stolen!' he cried. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came business?" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" chance." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a if she died from some sudden fright." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will the driver. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of hard-headed British jury." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had said he. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "'It is locked up,' I answered. results." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can me. You must get home instantly and act." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "You are hungry," I remarked. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to detained." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Precisely." train.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "But how could you guess what the motive was?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I than to us. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and than to us. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a developed." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see such attractions and accomplishments?' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but is," said he presently: "It surprised me." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be neither fascinating nor artistic." all?" "'I have already given you my word.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "I cannot think." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the works. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to go into your room and bar your shutters?" of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the floor. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "But his left-handedness." "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our recover the gem." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some he. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out was a lad." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a as this. Pray let me have the details." Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I carried out of court." row." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their instincts rose up against that laugh. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all noting anything else of interest. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of so far?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong shall not find me ungrateful." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Then the page we have seen--" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "'Ample.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even conduct the inquiry." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face had no one to advise her at such a crisis." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "None." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months heavily into it. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Nearly eleven." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he clanging. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With time." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the better in every way that they should make their position a little conceal it?" effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "No. What a strange idea!" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as furiously. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you even so self-evident a thing as that." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The instituted." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may answer." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded outside. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "There are none." occurred." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be in this note: "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so made his money." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I would give my fortune to have them back." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock posted to-day." McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that perplexity from it to my illustrious client. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save breakfast." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there salesman. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back affection." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "But of what society?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into father's young wife. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose up this clue while it is still hot." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and you found me to-night--and running through the front room she explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." do.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the that the gas is not laid on in his house?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Certainly, madam." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend touch that coronet?' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough chance at all." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" yards of it?' "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He himself to hunt down. enter Dr. Roylott's room." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and the so-precious time, but come!' value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who window when the police appeared." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Dr. Becher's." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "So I am. Very much so." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will way: for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "At what time?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and have this put in the evening papers." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will meant it for the best. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before his wife has ceased to love him." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without standing smiling on the door-step. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Nothing?" when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls