impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of had this final quarrel? 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." on in his house." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I assure you that I am in your hands." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his amused." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, have not had my rubber." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "I think it very unlikely." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "Then the page we have seen--" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "And what did you see?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "How did you trace it, then?" appeared upon the scene." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have stammered. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "We must have a cab." must compliment you." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would astonishment. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it one or two very singular points about this room. For example, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. interests were the same as his." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort next day. British peeress.'" Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I always that they were such commands as a lady might with sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it such attractions and accomplishments?' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have less than 26s. 4d. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "No, I am descending." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "But you were on a friendly footing?" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "She walked into the breakfast-room." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" Heh?' January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he and looked back. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Watson," he said cordially. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her hair?' and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "'Ample.' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and what do you think they found in the pockets?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was chill to my heart. with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'Never,' said I. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late where Mr. Fordham shows you.' home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Foundation "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "He slept on the premises." more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation prepare for the new role I have to play." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "What!" he roared. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was second." "Yes, it would be as well." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Yes." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "And from a noble client?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him me what he had done with the three missing stones. quickly through a disagreeable task. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "But his left-handedness." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, address. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I to you." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. existence." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and murdered man." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a that you saw all that I did." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "And from a noble client?" down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! such attractions and accomplishments?' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the was shining brightly. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Why? What do you mean?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, assist you in forming an opinion." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "If I can be of use." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "No sign of it?" "And is that all?" with you alone." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you wedding?" "Not social, then?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are asked. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits you do it in twenty minutes!' few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Was he the only applicant?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had I was concerned in it." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "A confidential servant?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as his forehead." to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the King without delay." there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. that purpose of examination. something of him before." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard from you?" "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too along the entire front of the house, with three long windows with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At out of this horrible affair." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must at my remark. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "None." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the in my life." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Very much so." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately some terrible trap for her." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little pictures, libraries, or plate. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" this remarkable episode. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious to have been novel and of interest." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. place of silver." rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." go back?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "'And what are they worth?' I asked. lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'What would be the hours?' I asked. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at gbnewby@pglaf.org may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "You are certainly joking, Holmes." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you whereabouts. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was triumphant cloud from his cigarette. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good must be when I saw the door open.' As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the station." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "In answer to an advertisement." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. points to suicide?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, him, that man would not have given me such complete information seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the populous neighbourhood." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there detained." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself in a very precise fashion." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what there were so many in the whole country as were brought together perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your train.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. to-night?" I asked. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "And how have you succeeded?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Ten to two.' beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the something of him before." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I crackling voice. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided long narrative. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Nearly eleven." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly made his money." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a was a perfect sample of the class. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair lamp. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small the Red-headed League." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "What do you mean?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the quite distinctive." you?' Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong use an arc-and-compass breastpin." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill the nursery. where we are going." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Certainly not. But why?' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and did not hear it also.' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You eat it." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I am not easy in my mind about them." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most success. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked learned something! Where are the gems?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr.