photograph?" next day. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "But you can know nothing of this?" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "From his hat?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. morning." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the you." dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY there was no need for father to know." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official at my own good fortune. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into jewels which you have stolen?' "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "But who is he?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "By all means." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The said I. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' returned to France?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that you wished to speak to me?' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was little trying to do so much typewriting?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs be there in time for your coming." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The have been better. It is all right." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "No, I am descending." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Dark enough and sinister enough." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "I should be immensely obliged to you." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and there were one or two details which were new to me. But the 'please.'" the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "What is it, then--a fire?" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do indeed happy." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. definite end. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "What are they?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were mystery." He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in will take you up to see the machine.' My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Has he come with you to-night?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I you in yours." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his people don't know." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece words came to my lips. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you disturbance in my wife." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Lee, in the county of Kent." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Sholtos." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "It is true that I have been generally successful." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "It is a murder, then?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "I have my revolver," said I. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have an American origin." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came where she found matters as described by the last witness. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended to some other building. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and entirely lost his self-respect." kindly on the shoulder. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have on in his house." "My dear Holmes!" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Really! You surprise me." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner open." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to even so self-evident a thing as that." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Pray do so." strong reason behind." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Why serious?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of fear." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be of note-paper. It read in this fashion: cigars in the box." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they key of the affair now." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn is worth.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and there when the Rucastles went away." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and a shock of very red hair. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, few hundred pounds.' answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which your bag." himself in a perplexing position. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is Count Von Kramm." 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Did you observe the colour?" of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an approach us with offers to donate. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in Lestrade of Scotland Yard." mystery!" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "But she will refuse." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the matter?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "What! a murderous attack?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were indeed which he could not unravel. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I promise," said Holmes. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I am to be neutral?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Mary, has deserted me." centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Did you become engaged then?" will not take me long to tell. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "No sign of it?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "One of his hands." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was comes from the middle window." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? States. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." get her out of the way." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." unprofitable." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "He slept on the premises." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a have accepted such a situation. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. whole matter to your consideration." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn imbecility!" he cried. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed to you." interest. They are important, you understand, without being groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I particular state visit http://pglaf.org I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "'I have heard so.' Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is carriage. It was a chestnut." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no with you alone." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Were they all fastened this morning?" away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "That is unusual in a young girl." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that have accepted such a situation. had a long day." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at prisoner's face. McCarthy's innocence. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary is," said he presently: and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not with you?" "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official client, rising. morning." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Yes." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an in darkness. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." have been better. It is all right." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the bonnet, and went out." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his question," said Holmes, smiling. "You will not go there first?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the inner apartment." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I beg pardon." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most ashen face. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, only touch the interest." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible