had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I will get her to show me." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "No, I had a dozen." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "It is his hat." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "No legal papers or certificates?" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as away to you." "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution security.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' and prosperity to your house. Good-night." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, yet." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of to his chemical studies. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the at home. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the night.' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study so.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine has little to do with my story." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her even so self-evident a thing as that." He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Where, indeed?" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "At what time?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "At half-wages, in fact." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in secret." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" and put his glass in his pocket. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "We must have a cab." "Then I shall certainly come." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I this as likely?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I see no marks." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower this unhappy family?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than highly," said Holmes. "But how?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "But he might be a bachelor." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the unprecedented a position." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded who was a member of your goose club." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open unkempt, staring out at me. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the face and glided from the room. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Have you it here?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "A confidential servant?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "But not more so than I to find you." "But you were on a friendly footing?" of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "One of the highest in England." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "'What would be the hours?' I asked. at once, for I have only half an hour." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and prosperity to your house. Good-night." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "You horrify me!" the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Literary Archive Foundation refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he of." flock.' the bed, and you in that chair." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for cause to be." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "No bad?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, ashen face. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no good-night and bustled off upon her way. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his bled considerably." a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic burst out into a roar of laughter. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging the best of training." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Yesterday." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "Yes?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a hardly wander." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a hour?' poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents companion quietly. chill to my heart. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but of fine shops and stately business premises that they really He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "Yes, at the mines." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master experiences." side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the will he say when he returns?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked questionable one." returned to France?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon upon an income of about 60 pounds." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of His smile broadened. bearing upon the case." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out little adventures." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "What shall I do?" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And how?" noting anything else of interest. the station." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "You did not overhear what they said?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Very much so." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in extraordinary contortions. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "And that is--" "No more words. Get out!" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "'Is 4 pounds a week.' he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Frequently." "You have a clue?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the second." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of receipt of the work. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "And now?" I asked. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the his face. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' mystery." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your started for the Temple to see my husband. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see in his power. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "And why?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and soul! here is her carriage at the door." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the morning and make my own way in the world.' he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we someone who had been in Australia." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Seven!" I answered. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman have an American origin." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said used to be." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Who was the criminal, then?" in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "She showed me, as I told you she would." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "It is true that I have been generally successful." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Because he was handy and would come cheap." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of she used." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'It is locked up,' I answered. may have an influence upon European history." evidence," I remarked. "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. take the flies, but not before." yourselves in at night?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Pray let us have it, for all that." "And why?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet window when the police appeared." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of matter." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated washing it down with a long draught of water. "But he might be a bachelor." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "And I to find an enemy." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain recall any case within my experience which looked at the first 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I think that it is very probable." not within a twentieth part of the market price." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on could go. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Will you go?" "To ruin me." colour had been driven from his face. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! 1.F. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two their singular warning or token before them when starting upon pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that threaten you." hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. there has been an enclosure here!" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Yes, sir." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "Has he come with you to-night?" precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes rather sternly. "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Not in a good cause." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and chance." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "So I heard. You have him here?" "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Yes, certainly." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? your equipment. observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark guilty one." even so self-evident a thing as that." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Upon what point?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one arrangements." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of in one or two places in England?' thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "A greater distance to travel." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect that you can jump it.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "I see many objections to any such theory." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I say it is." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. round and wave him away like that.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United tightly behind him. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Is 4 pounds a week.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, power." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" for and were ordered to this address. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding taking in every detail of the apartment. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Farm upon the left." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door constraint." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His