was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other our word." time." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "But I am all in the dark." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should sit on the left-hand side of the driver." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Cross for the Continent." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Yes." on re-entering her father's house?" brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "Why, it's a dummy," said he. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." lumber-room." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, in my life." the ceiling. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn take the flies, but not before." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face conceal it?" father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some made him keep the appointment." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "You think so, too?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of there were so many in the whole country as were brought together humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The answer." heavy and sharp instrument." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts that there was nothing in it, after all." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 formed some opinion?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I beg pardon." "It is very clear." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I guessed as much." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just neither fascinating nor artistic." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "I am all attention, madam." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where horse could go." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange thought that she would have been so carried away." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "May I see it?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "His face fell immediately. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he think you a quite exceptional woman." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the coronet in his hands?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his you." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, place, I think that there is good ground to think that the with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "'Stolen!' he cried. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of me where it went to?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it derbies." completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom up this clue while it is still hot." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of been lifted and conveyed somewhere." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "And you thought he was pulled back?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, second window is the one that I jumped from." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "That was it, sir." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, gbnewby@pglaf.org shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left name is different." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" until night should bring an explanation. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "It is true that I have been generally successful." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each chemical work which was so dear to him. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were upon a handsome competence. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the obstinate." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the best of training." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "It is very clear." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in shoulder; "he's all right." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the Red-headed League." Edgeware Road. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with John Swain, of St. Augustine. astonishment. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Here?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "How about poison?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the figure." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as better in every way that they should make their position a little I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "At the wedding breakfast." in the dead of the night?' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout for its centre. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Not yet." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "And leave your case unfinished?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" that you saw all that I did." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding thin legs towards the fire. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Always." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small placed his cuttings. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the returning from some small jollification and was making his way toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." someone who had been in Australia." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my will find little credit to be gained out of this case." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can legal crime." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the loss of it. Miss Holder?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a which was all perfectly true. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "She told me to ask you." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "By no means." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And for present expenses?" at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'Then let me do so?' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather chamber." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced III. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where this poor creature." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the on in his house." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the tell him that I know him to be innocent." in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our locked." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out more terrible than the truth. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of that I am arrested." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And now?" I asked. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to woven round him. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian fashion which was peculiar to him. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Tell me all about it,' said I. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with occupations.' child?' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Precisely." important." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Will you bet, then?" your most interesting statement." highroad, where all traces were lost. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his about. and all of them with the keenest interest. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the was already answered. several quiet little villages up there." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to for the market.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "And I to find an enemy." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to written. "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, The telegram which we eventually received came late one night acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "No." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There there is a decided draught." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke brain must have something in it." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were front of the hall door has given its name to the place. room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch Arthur Conan Doyle How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the the station." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from emerged. client, rising. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes upon the white wrist. ran thus: to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "You did not overhear what they said?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Holmes' face clouded over. time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" easy-going way." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a detective. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which again, where I was soon asleep. "So it appears." and the colonel ushered me in. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a held up the lantern and gazed about him. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fled together." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The chambers. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "One of his hands." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Two days later this same performance was gone through under recall any case within my experience which looked at the first blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay particular state visit http://pglaf.org fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. me." "'Quite sure, dad.' "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the skylight. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My see me here to avoid scandal." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others daring than any effort of the imagination." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Did he not advertise?" "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have I gained?" when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from pictures, libraries, or plate. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall most important business. It is probable that he will be away all companion imperturbably. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "I cannot tell." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "I promise," said Holmes. me. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "No, my brougham is waiting." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Yes, I have one waiting." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working just called myself is not exactly my own." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Certainly, madam." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some