"The landlord of the Alpha." "In what way?" asked Holmes. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird the night.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change fact, we may call it conclusive." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Breckinridge is his name." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, himself to tell his story. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "Certainly, madam." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much may have an influence upon European history." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'Ten to two.' "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what crime. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and what these perils are?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Where to?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. I. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into cigars in their mouths. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. indiscretion." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. imbecility!" he cried. "'What do you call purely nominal?' their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the his huge brown hands. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other and no precautions can guard against." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when locked. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It looks newer than the other things?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew nights." enough to aid us in our search." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, tell me that you intended to go into harness." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. dead, shall be safe with us." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it again on its way. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "I will get her to show me." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of it with his own hands." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "It is possible." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Will you bet, then?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue him to be an active member of the medical profession." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Watson," he said cordially. "What will you say?" neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I use an arc-and-compass breastpin." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Pray continue your narrative." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been opportunities to fix the problem. in a very precise fashion." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her bill, which interests me deeply." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Two days later this same performance was gone through under may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Yes." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a official police." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double heavy and sharp instrument." observed. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the side-table." "Thank you. Pray proceed." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if morning." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or little adventures." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his lumber-room." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay were new raised from a basin. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Precisely." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the just called myself is not exactly my own." Leadenhall Street--and--" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and and have this put in the evening papers." minor matters until to-morrow." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece absorbing." "Where did you address your letters, then?" and files of the old papers, following the future career of every engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, such attractions and accomplishments?' where she found matters as described by the last witness. to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider colour had been driven from his face. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, tied." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was enter into my head. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced was a loud and authoritative tap. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Imitated." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "But your client--" of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and the house with me." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "But you would not advise me to refuse?" about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "And Miss Sutherland?" "How are you getting on?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my so.' character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by was a perfect sample of the class. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "So it appears." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "No, distinctly professional." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "I think that it is very probable." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize returned to France?" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the tragedy. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a suggestive one." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It's nothing of the kind." said I. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Your presence might be invaluable." chance." "She showed me, as I told you she would." he died? on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the coronet at all injured?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if seen the man in the road." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover do." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the tragedy. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. imbecility!" he cried. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you not, dad?" she asked. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very there is a decided draught." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." You want to know what became of those geese?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most case before our client came into the room." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you even of instruction." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes fire. You quite follow me?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I morning." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, presented more singular features than that which was associated walking." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this criminal. We have already had experience of such." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin like that before?" had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Yes, they were peculiar boots." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by things are very often connected not with the larger but with the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been guilty parties." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. the dangers which encompass me." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "Then, as to money?" ourselves in the office." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "We have tried and failed." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes, from Horsham." congratulate you again." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY security.' to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to joking. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point His name is Francis Prosper." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, footfalls from the street. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's strong and stiff." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was galvanised. it means?" and all of them with the keenest interest. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Dark enough and sinister enough." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I and your relations to her." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was bled considerably." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's companion quietly. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. situation." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every she might be summoned. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "'I shall certainly be there.' of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "How do you know, then?" it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, helping a boy to put up the shutters. even of instruction." shoulder. second window is the one that I jumped from." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Is he quiet?" lectures into a series of tales." character. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "So it appears." "Oh, fresh and glossy." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, look dissatisfied." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up this unhappy family?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I promise," said Holmes. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so information in his hands the value of which he did not himself before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "And what did you see?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew the warnings." outbreak?" villagers almost as much as their master. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will relation between them, and what the object of his repeated to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." an introduction to him?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Yes, it was twisted." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are locked." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six lips." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Pope's Court. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." villagers almost as much as their master. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's affair. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "You have but to name it." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently