which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I shall most certainly do so." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess chambers. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Leadenhall Street--and--" that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the room while you explain this matter?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Yes, but only for you and me." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Sutherland. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with spare." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and noting anything else of interest. mystery!" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I have a cab outside." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some note?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Why did you pick him?" "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, just called myself is not exactly my own." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some hurried away. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Will you bet, then?" "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "That was it, sir." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, there was no need for father to know." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "What! You do not mean bodies?" greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which fishes. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that quick march!" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment are, and they are waiting for us." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, fact, we may call it conclusive." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy made his money." "Pray do so." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and it right.' buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "So it appears." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled our word." the child." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would child?' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the yet." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "'I have already given you my word.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' His smile broadened. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the little trying to do so much typewriting?" that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "'Ample.' "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. standing smiling on the door-step. hard-headed British jury." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 soul! here is her carriage at the door." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Henry Baker is a member." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, there!' settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." have had none more fantastic than this." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the character. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his Sutherland?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the general public were present, then?" meanly of me." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "What can it mean?" I gasped. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "'Is 4 pounds a week.' justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but For additional contact information: as he folded up the epistle. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at nonsense.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, examine." there in twenty minutes." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, his eyes and forehead. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property License. You must require such a user to return or recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had in a friendly supper." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. look dissatisfied." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Did your wife hear all this?" her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the village inn over there?" feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is charge against him will break down." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a be best to do. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "And leave your case unfinished?" was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "I have a cab outside." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin attention." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his friends, not even his own brother. has little to do with my story." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope voice, changing her seat as requested. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "None." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Leadenhall Street--and--" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "An accident, I presume?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "It is a murder, then?" on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "But the mystery?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "What are they?" conduct the inquiry." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small chambers. "And why?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." mysterious business." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from upon a handsome competence. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a matters immensely." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in train.' of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive families. Now for the facts. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when one which it was hard to resist. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire depend upon your compliance." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I careless servant girl?" signal between you and your father? "You have it, sir, just as it happened." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished have an American origin." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "And how have you succeeded?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower The police have openly confessed that they can at present make assist you in forming an opinion." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which our visitor detailed to us. was it brought him the coronet? an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the man. I know him from the photograph." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon *** START: FULL LICENSE *** confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "And how?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." village inn over there?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "No." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in you?' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As once more on the important position which you have been fortunate hard-headed British jury." unkempt, staring out at me. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "You have it, sir, just as it happened." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, respectable self." IS turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use she to prove their authenticity?" do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, giving me time to thank him. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "Not particularly." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the coronet at all injured?" a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house six. Come in!" wedding?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Yes. He waved his hands." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "'About the same.' crime." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "But how could you guess what the motive was?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones certainly not very gracious." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" in my life." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from American. Then who could this American be, and why should he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "My dear Holmes!" most interesting one." shoulder. becomes even more simple." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured congratulate you again." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice did not hear it also.' "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "None. Neville wrote those words." unprecedented a position." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and fire. You quite follow me?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "Yes." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "If I can be of use." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" seen the man in the road." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "You forget that I know nothing about it." Cross for the Continent." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "But he might be a bachelor." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed been deceived." in my life." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Cross for the Continent." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Does that suggest anything?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which writing, and yet I know it well." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was indeed which he could not unravel. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that off." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "'You cannot say what it was?' at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came copied or distributed: Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in gone. get her out of the way." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, affair. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "What have you to say now?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the not personally threatened." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "I assure you that I am in your hands." "And what then?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Where, then?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your the window, rose as we entered. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return The telegram which we eventually received came late one night But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Yes." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a me have 200 pounds?' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell gone. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then way: as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and to take care of herself." to miss it." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of bell. Holmes whistled. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. careless servant girl?" my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus a very grave face. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "My dear Holmes!" the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'What, the red-headed man?' to-night's adventure." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to asked. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "The murder was done with it."