favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as whether it answered to the description of any of their "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with suggested at once that there must be a communication between the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "About a month then." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "By no means." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a matters immensely." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and ago." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was three of the beryls in it, was missing. back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will meanly of me." minor matters until to-morrow." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "At the wedding breakfast." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to some other building. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another within hail.' "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Which are?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, think that any burglar could have done. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "But she will refuse." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the which was all perfectly true. be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "And I say east," said my patient. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is nonsense.' any." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for the stable lane now." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Indeed! Whose, then?" you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would locked." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite redistribution. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and laid it on the table. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia depend upon my doing so.' it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly key of the affair now." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I cannot imagine." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." has little to do with my story." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "You think so, too?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. acted in my house last night?" perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, his forehead." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the waste of energy." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and III. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded look upon these things in a different way." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You horrify me." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, what do you think they found in the pockets?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce gone. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "I would pay ten." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you presume?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your presume?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the are windows in it, of course?" "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him through." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this do.' the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "I cannot say that I have." "Yes, it would be as well." a monotonous occupation." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his present strange and interesting features that it is no easy photograph?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "What do you make of that, Watson?" there when the Rucastles went away." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold gentleman's clothes. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. undoubtedly my uncle's." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced for the market.' "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "There are none." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the in his power. which our visitor detailed to us. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your speckled band?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Awake, Watson?" he asked. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them business." "Then how many are there?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. name is different." meant it for the best. sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." learned something! Where are the gems?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Whose house is it?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "But I have heard all that you have heard." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "And your father? Did you tell him?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "He might." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my papers diligently of late, have you not?" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are key of the affair now." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. speckled band?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "But how will you look?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a definite end. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Your sister is dead, then?" "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply pierced for earrings?" vanished into the darkness. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" any little problem which you may submit to me." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A obstinate." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and indiscretion." very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Nothing?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the Assizes." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked generous with you in money matters.' settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." plantation.' carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you colour had been driven from his face. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a of them has the shutters up.' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do have one." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this in him." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "It missed him, then?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out villagers almost as much as their master. Eyford at 11:15.' been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate fact, we may call it conclusive." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible Pope's Court, Fleet Street." where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I have come for advice." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite unclasping of his long thin hands. this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "No." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the should be taken.' Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By money should be paid at once.' docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it of Mr. Rucastle's." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "One of the highest in England." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of place no limit on the sum I may draw." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "He said that you could solve anything." "Was she in good spirits?" and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right front of the hall door has given its name to the place. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less in darkness. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to someone who had been in Australia." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned fluttered off among the others. in. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed at home. if I call to-morrow?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Well?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "And why?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "'Yes.' seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "To an end?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "The knees of his trousers." are, and they are waiting for us." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders desk. with some details as to your case." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were do you make of it all?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "Yes." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my quite distinctive." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a once more. chambers. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be chambers. at my remark. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "'Never,' said I. tail." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "But how could you guess what the motive was?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "VIOLET HUNTER." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his about. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, persecution?" as this. Pray let me have the details." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "But how?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "This photograph!" there in twenty minutes." dear old homesteads?" you give your casting vote to?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "I will, Miss Turner." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after once more on the important position which you have been fortunate half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Seven!" I answered. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "You don't mind breaking the law?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when woman who has had her own way to make in the world. Sholtos." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so never to learn it at all." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just help us in this matter." "'Certainly not. But why?' wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily any little problem which you may submit to me." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was hair?' "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no trying to your nerves." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "In the cells." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Chief Executive and Director "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was