"And it is--" Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not points to suicide?" learned something! Where are the gems?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Of what day?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had to-night's adventure." "Precisely so. But how--" blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the roots. "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point morning." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'Is 4 pounds a week.' then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel address. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "'What do you call purely nominal?' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the companion. and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "No, but the enclosure is." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its American. Then who could this American be, and why should he THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage be sorry for having acted so harshly." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'What would be the hours?' I asked. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "That is easily got." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email him, that man would not have given me such complete information nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Then what has happened to him?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I will get her to show me." the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Who by?" shall use the carriage to-night." "Ah!" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that note?" "That you are never beaten." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Was she in good spirits?" "How did that help you?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and you understand?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." article?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'What, the red-headed man?' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to talk it over. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them interests were the same as his." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. his wife has ceased to love him." public press." "Where is it, then?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the him and tried to hold him back. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "I was sure that I might rely on you." I am not easy in my mind about them." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left not within a twentieth part of the market price." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My triumphant cloud from his cigarette. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing key of the affair now." know what is wrong with it.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover the matter." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. know what is wrong with it.' "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. stammered. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with down. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "9th. McCauley cleared. key turn in the lock." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "'I am sure if I had known--' prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature carpenter." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, retorted upon me, and I on you." is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. that, and I came down." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where address. "Quite so." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "It was an hour's good drive." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. digesting their breakfasts at home." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the best of training." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of stood on the top of it. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "It is true that I have been generally successful." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Why, what do you mean?" "What I expected to see." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years are, and they are waiting for us." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it be best to do. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might written, and locked the door of the office after me. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. go from here to the Strand." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that himself to hunt down. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'And the work?' law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "On the contrary, this is the right side." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter prepare for the new role I have to play." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is friends, not even his own brother. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "What can it mean?" I gasped. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but problems help me to do so." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "The Cedars?" to-night." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I am to be neutral?" you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no electronic works her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but from the brougham. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery that I am arrested." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like you?" outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack know all about it," he snarled. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do this man was intellectual?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If wanted for ourselves." previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of a light. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "No." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I a little more before I quite committed myself. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Most admirably.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody singular points about the case. What did the police think of the present." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "That's no good." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Yes, sir." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It may not come to that," said Holmes. DISSOLVED. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." dear old homesteads?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its this man was intellectual?" hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the know what is wrong with it.' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I fear not." danger is over." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in think that he is innocent?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss rooms." paper in the air. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out habit of advancing money.' total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Precisely." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has any more." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Was your sister dressed?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was must compliment you." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that weapon." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very himself to tell his story. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "And sit in the dark?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Yes." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Holmes' face clouded over. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of lumber-room." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was kindly on the shoulder. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "But your client--" photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your appeal." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" advice." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country some water from a caraffe. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander keep the flames under. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be did not hear it also.' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Ah!" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "No good news?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be you for a few hours?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I answered that I had not. became a certainty. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as again." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Then the page we have seen--" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was me have 200 pounds?' of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that the gas is not laid on in his house?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low,