lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built there." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses This is what he says: only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold prepare for the new role I have to play." London for the present?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly I shall communicate with you." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had lost his Christmas dinner." him to go away.' "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is not within a twentieth part of the market price." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "He disappeared so suddenly." "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the salesman. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "The Cedars?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of interests were the same as his." quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us problems help me to do so." out." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." weighed down with some great anxiety. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be compunction about shooting them down." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey you do it in twenty minutes!' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take have one." tied." Arthur Conan Doyle town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, his eyes and forehead. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the main points of my analysis." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture as he remarks, very much against the son." nothing with him." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, sofa. This way, please!" "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his manager. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard new duties?' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Which are?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said believe that I should never have any practice at all. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. business in the City. She little knew what. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with galvanised. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that eat it." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was introspective fashion. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for tell me that you intended to go into harness." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'And what are they worth?' I asked. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been cheerful." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I was concerned in it." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point From what you have told me I think that it is possible that say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the amused." very old mansion. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general room?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Countess of Morcar's?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have conclusions. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me eavesdroppers?' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out unprofitable." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been detained." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Yes, it was twisted." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, awkward doing business with an alias." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "No more words. Get out!" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire of note-paper. It read in this fashion: wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the Assizes." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. I think that I could be of assistance to you." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an furiously. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had with you?" triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "'I have heard so.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that not personally threatened." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "But I am all in the dark." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and forehead. "And how have you succeeded?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Which surely he restored to their owner?" desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to situation." their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." himself in a perplexing position. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every golden eyeglasses. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "There are none." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "What of the rat, then?" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, through." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front forehead. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' status with the IRS. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter this as likely?" would apply.' agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Where, then, is my wife?" "But what will you do?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few any little problem which you may submit to me." what do you think they found in the pockets?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat respectable self." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the gone. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "And your father? Did you tell him?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, you in your example." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave dear old homesteads?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was he. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on distance from the station, and there we found the young lady public press." happened." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, crime. Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup this man was intellectual?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry hopeless attempt at recovering them." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every during the last few years, and there are many noble families to him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "You forget that I know nothing about it." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the crime." not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Eh? What was that?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Where does the thing come from?' regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "I shall most certainly do so." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." them?" unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Why? What do you mean?" to surprise her." sufficient punishment." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." British peeress.'" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That sounds a little paradoxical." since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "But to whom?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'Why that?' I asks. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a some terrible trap for her." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "One of his hands." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? allusion to a rat. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary disturbance in my wife." "Murdered?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' is worth.' could go. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "It must be recovered." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness companion quietly. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Then I shall certainly come." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "None." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." details." is four-and-twenty." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover easy-going way." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce notes," he said. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be the Red-headed League." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this crime. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of manager. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "The gentleman I describe." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "So I heard. You have him here?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very will take you up to see the machine.' learned something! Where are the gems?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the so-precious time, but come!' "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I,