"He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a sneer upon his pale face. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and his forehead." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Where did he live, then?" with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our business?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "But of what society?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "That is unusual in a young girl." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I beyond words. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in been with you?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every house for five minutes.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make seem to you to be relevant or not." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Miss Holder?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." which are rolled in Rotterdam." society." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." awaited us upon the table. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "At half-wages, in fact." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "He disappeared so suddenly." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake of the one which your family is now devouring." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two once more on the important position which you have been fortunate firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I am still in the dark." the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, is worth.' his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have eat it." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "My stepfather's business papers." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'Yes, I promise.' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and wait." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE formed some opinion?" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. pierced for earrings?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Then, as to money?" is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "So I heard. You have him here?" Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his be sorry for having acted so harshly." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "What is it?" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "In answer to an advertisement." again on its way. "You have carte blanche." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. bill, which interests me deeply." invisible to me," I remarked. life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to there." know that the truth is known." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a know what is wrong with it.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to is four-and-twenty." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "How did you deduce the select?" after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a points to suicide?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, other lovers by making love himself." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these it." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" unkempt, staring out at me. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of the one which your family is now devouring." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to have got?" I nodded again. respectable self." putting in the horse. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it sofa. This way, please!" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the corner of the building. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it gigantic client. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to coat-tails." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "What are they?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to It may be so in this case, also." "You have the photograph?" and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the see me here to avoid scandal." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable the inquest, and which are worth considering." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That copied or distributed: lids now and glanced across at his visitor. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sufficient punishment." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would served to weaken the effect. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "On your arm?" "'Stolen!' he cried. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." McCarthy's innocence. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, congratulate you again." "'Yes.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the as this. Pray let me have the details." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one a room. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were shoulder. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young in a very precise fashion." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I think that it is very probable." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of which we had just quitted. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think colonel looking down at me. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "That's no good." during the last few years, and there are many noble families to you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem one of the states of the Union." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. south, for the country is more deserted there." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. residence of the great financier. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since forecastle of an emigrant ship. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable believe that I should never have any practice at all. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the you." you." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of been deceived." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'And what are they worth?' I asked. these bleak autumnal evenings." chemical work which was so dear to him. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving province." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar gone before you can get him to hospital." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which politicians who had been sent down from the North. trifles." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual more terrible than the truth. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to investigation." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of a light. "And I say east," said my patient. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" chamber." DAMAGE. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that with the outside air!" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "And is that all?" building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "'Then let me do so?' social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. foot. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town have not had my rubber." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "I think that it is very probable." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you II. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "On your arm?" the very morning of the wedding." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know this unhappy family?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had stepfather?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with and the whole place is in a blaze." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that not interfere, come what may. You understand?" the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by October 9, 1890. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush The King stared at him in amazement. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and even so self-evident a thing as that." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both DAMAGE. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his with some details as to your case." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "In what way?" asked Holmes. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went key turn in the lock." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely presented which may be striking and bizarre without being her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "I see many objections to any such theory." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical before the coroner and the police-court." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down better in every way that they should make their position a little spare." it. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his easy-going way." companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the