impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The hour?' stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Perhaps we may make them less so." in this note: "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have breakfast." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get relation between them, and what the object of his repeated particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted at home. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "That was it, sir." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet you?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "It was." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that retorted upon me, and I on you." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Witness: I must still refuse. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Ah!" "To an English lawyer named Norton." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and lost his Christmas dinner." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in meanly of me." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am believe that I should never have any practice at all. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' you." "Imitated." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "Your presence might be invaluable." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these wedding?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident hurried away. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they British peeress.'" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel system of imprisonment?" them present such singular features as the strange train of their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "When did she vanish, then?" He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "But he might be a bachelor." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." ventilator." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think or in danger--" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest to a light-house. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons done what I asked you, Jones?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking use an arc-and-compass breastpin." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "But it has twice been burgled." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "By no means." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. own family. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the tragedy. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for to take care of herself." "Never." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Farm upon the left." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the more terrible than the truth. "And your father? Did you tell him?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Is he quiet?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Have you her photograph?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client there!' "What?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'And what salary do you ask?' swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons swore that no one else had been in the front room during the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "At what time?" "No bad?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And why in hopes?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side both be extremely obliged.' "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing her also." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the like that before?" Again Holmes raved in the air. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and returning from some small jollification and was making his way cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "None." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Nothing." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. strong reason behind." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your will take you up to see the machine.' this man was intellectual?" over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in the dead of the night?' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "And is that all?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry dear old homesteads?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "That sounds a little paradoxical." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he and the colonel ushered me in. not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. through." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some constraint." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated the south-west, I see." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear must compliment you." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The people don't know." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Did he not advertise?" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such fat-encircled eyes. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Ah, but I was recommended to you." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly pierced for earrings?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one get the tickets." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, key of the affair now." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "Nothing." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, of." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until matter over." over with notes and figures. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Come in!" said Holmes. grasp, he hurried from the room. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, your room." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of brain must have something in it." "Of what day?" "May I see it?" gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door ran thus: success. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "Absolutely none." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder II. about here speaks of his kindness to him." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, writing, and yet I know it well." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Were they all fastened this morning?" frequently gained my first real insight into the character of mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport morning." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a newspaper selections." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "'Certainly,' I answered. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough congratulate you again." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that you saw all that I did." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to where Mr. Fordham shows you.' kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." This is what he says: "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my to-night?" I asked. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "A call for help, you thought?" John Swain, of St. Augustine. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "He said too much." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you you in your example." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she ourselves in the office." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he events than those which have happened in my own family." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "But how?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. whether it answered to the description of any of their their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been it right.' chamber." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "It came here." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, it with his own hands." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Won't it ring?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "If I can be of use." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said bare slabs of marble. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There signal between you and your father? enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Why serious?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." "ARAT," I read. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock completely overtopped every other consideration that we both making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "No, finished." trying to your nerves." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment suspect him." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It surprised me." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "In answer to an advertisement." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a was a perfect sample of the class. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." maid will bring up your coffee." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. and that he would see to anything that turned up. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "You did not overhear what they said?" madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have business." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "You don't mind breaking the law?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I am armed." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just away to you." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you that I am arrested." certainly not very gracious." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It is his hat." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a persecution?" I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson,