1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I himself. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I cannot think." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "How long did she speak to this Alice?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Of what day?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "You forget that I know nothing about it." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there astonishment. do you make of it all?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black future lives." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" me." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a compunction about shooting them down." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two society." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before good for you to do.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Yes, they were peculiar boots." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which learned something! Where are the gems?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "You heard nothing yourself last night?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "But you have hopes?" ways of our fellow-men." "My photograph." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you mystery may be cleared along those lines." "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Where, indeed?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "How are you getting on?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. was a perfect sample of the class. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but own family. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up in the dead of the night?' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" than to us. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We said he. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to could go. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I will, Miss Turner." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. sufficient punishment." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hard-headed British jury." way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Deserted you?" last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised them present such singular features as the strange train of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. had formerly been in part my own. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "No?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots posted to-day." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and coat-tails." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned make me his representative both with the servants and with the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view miles off. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One security.' A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the matter." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Very truly yours, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a whole matter to your consideration." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering hand, madam?" where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "But his lameness?" and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, presented more singular features than that which was associated with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "In heaven's name, what for?" "Was the window open?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might held up the lantern and gazed about him. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge it. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the loss of it. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his man. I know him from the photograph." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the closely." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Which are?" "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "What will you do, then?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You forget that I know nothing about it." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "It was a confession," I ejaculated. kindly on the shoulder. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its call it cruel." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house digesting their breakfasts at home." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "If so, much may have happened between." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** shag which I had seen upon the previous night. south, for the country is more deserted there." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the so-precious time, but come!' 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and fled together." strength in the others." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the overpowering excitement and concern. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing fattened it expressly for you.' both be extremely obliged.' of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "In which, sir?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he few hundred pounds.' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I have seen the police." II. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. with her." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six get her out of the way." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Oh, yes, easily." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? man. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "That is possible." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm his eyes and forehead. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about breakfast?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money congratulate you again." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in several quiet little villages up there." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "In the cells." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, chemical work which was so dear to him. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "But you can know nothing of this?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. colour had been driven from his face. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "But she could not love him." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "I cannot imagine." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," tied." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Dirty?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "That is not always so easy." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged away into the river." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Have you her photograph?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic his eyes and forehead. continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Yes, but only for you and me." "I have a cab outside." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the south-west, I see." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us your most interesting statement." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I such person." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the inquest, and which are worth considering." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "What then?" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would and the whole place is in a blaze." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the matters immensely." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for what is your own theory as to what took place?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "It must be recovered." to his chemical studies. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "I shall be delighted." "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he she used." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "No." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance sufficient punishment." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, appeared upon the scene." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Nearly eleven." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a down from London to inquire more deeply into it." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. obstinate." maid will bring up your coffee." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, secret." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, are, and they are waiting for us." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with lids now and glanced across at his visitor. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and yourselves in at night?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in fluttered off among the others.