Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the himself in a perplexing position. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken acted in my house last night?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I my former friend and companion. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Pope's Court. this remarkable episode. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "And why in hopes?" of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in meant." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a which we had just quitted. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the States. the room while you explain this matter?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'A dozen yards or so.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my key turn in the lock." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." have an American origin." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious nonsense.' which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was present strange and interesting features that it is no easy when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are would apply.' exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "'Never,' said I. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. helping a boy to put up the shutters. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Where to?" twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. drawing your inferences." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day already been minutely examined." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by my little problems." his eyes and forehead. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point go from here to the Strand." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'It is locked up,' I answered. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His kindly on the shoulder. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Can I be of assistance?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "May I see it?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well this remarkable episode. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than interested in these little problems, and since you are good noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. McCarthy's innocence. one's self under obligations.' on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not voice, changing her seat as requested. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That telegram would bring me down to your help." and no precautions can guard against." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless roused himself from his reverie. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "Entirely." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "That you are never beaten." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of light and attacked it." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "How about poison?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which derbies." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots digesting their breakfasts at home." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "No." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "What can you not understand?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I cannot tell." to-morrow." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both woman." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Lestrade of Scotland Yard." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the questionable one." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day matters immensely." to have that photograph." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "But you have hopes?" "And I to find an enemy." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had as the one I chose?' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon 'please.'" workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that electronic works open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "Witness: I must still refuse. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a forbidden door. gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'A dozen yards or so.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing into the bag, and made for the door. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a papers must be those that are destroyed.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Won't it ring?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in chill to my heart. bearing upon the case." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same gbnewby@pglaf.org forebodings. and I shall be with you presently." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fish-monger and a tide-waiter." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, his face. the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever into her hand at the door and which lured her within their sneer upon his pale face. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of that, and I came down." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but carriage. It was a chestnut." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the question," said Holmes, smiling. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope made his money." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" never to learn it at all." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in fashion which was peculiar to him. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this entirely devoid of interest." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present then?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "No, I had a dozen." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Won't it ring?" seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I have come for advice." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than house for five minutes.' Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt you in yours." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Pray continue your narrative." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the wedding?" "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had again." night.' said he. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' as he remarks, very much against the son." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed silent! Oh, he will be silent!' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to intrusion of other matters." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the society." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help papers diligently of late, have you not?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "What then?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "That also I could fathom." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I cannot imagine." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a fluttered off among the others. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very time." "None." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, detained." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a there is a decided draught." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he yourselves in at night?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money it right.' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the very morning of the wedding." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "In San Francisco, a year ago." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up she has been waylaid. There has been no result." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "How often?" "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she do you make of it all?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am unclasping of his long thin hands. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me bachelor.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Not social, then?" noting anything else of interest. which we had just quitted. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked train.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Which surely he restored to their owner?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque considering the formidable letters which were received by himself was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed salesman. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Pray do so." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." are, I think, all that we need." out of this horrible affair." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary be there in time for your coming." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of tapping his fingers upon the table. have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "How did you trace it, then?" rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "'And what are they worth?' I asked. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "But how?" "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "The Coroner: What do you mean? "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had room?" SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may subject to the trademark license, especially commercial coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Of Friday, June 19th." means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the What do you deduce from it?" official police." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for