are windows in it, of course?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang brandy and water within his reach. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he been anything against him. He had for years been known as a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my and shall probably return to London by the evening train." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "How often?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself his face which made him a very different person to the round, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." is acting for the best. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do be sorry for having acted so harshly." breakfast?" Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the the general public were present, then?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Bought." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which strong and stiff." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "It missed him, then?" "Nearly eleven." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project detained." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "Witness: I must still refuse. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked his forehead." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes late!' step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly his wife has ceased to love him." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. you." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving fled together." home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young one or two very singular points about this room. For example, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "But of what society?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere rooms." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" closing the door. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "Perhaps I have." nonsense.' mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of to have been novel and of interest." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'I have heard so.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp were unconscious?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a discontent upon his features. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, License. You must require such a user to return or my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and trifles." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this in the hope of finding them." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a about here speaks of his kindness to him." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in You want to know what became of those geese?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" went to the Alpha were town bred." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. Pool. like gravel from a pit.' spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and It was close upon four before the door opened, and a about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Entirely." greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a room?" a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the invisible to me," I remarked. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of like gravel from a pit.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Yes, I have one waiting." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' said I. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the least a fellow-countryman. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, out of this horrible affair." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK wife's character?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future fire. You quite follow me?" exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed opened the door, and slipped through. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "The murder was done with it." "And why?" when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Proceed, then." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there morning." over with notes and figures. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was hand, madam?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'And the work?' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the hereditary King of Bohemia." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The a monotonous occupation." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; business." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "But what will you do?" homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I don't say that. Perhaps." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility secret." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'In my own bureau.' vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "You horrify me!" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You were travelling in the States?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and your relations to her." the coronet at all injured?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, him and tried to hold him back. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'How far from the body?' "Did you become engaged then?" the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "I saw her in conversation with her maid." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his weighed down with some great anxiety. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the three of the beryls in it, was missing. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "You horrify me." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We and a shock of very red hair. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the do.' him, that man would not have given me such complete information everything which you would wish to know." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Where, indeed?" absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of pictures, libraries, or plate. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and envelope. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is like that before?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Did you become engaged then?" nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you away in different directions, and I went off to make my own alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "'Yes, it was gone.' where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he at my remark. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," way in everything. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to himself to hunt down. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must is a common subject for conversation. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be business matters.' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "She will not sell." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Pray continue your narrative." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It is solved." "Where, then?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my for the market.' nonsense.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in look dissatisfied." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I six. Come in!" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the when you have done it." remarked. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he there was no need for father to know." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned question," said Holmes, smiling. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "Yes. He waved his hands." closing the door. assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting as he folded up the epistle. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Eh? What was that?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "How did he come?" "Never to return." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every crime." "'Yes.' of them has the shutters up.' minor matters until to-morrow." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to beg that you will break it off." enter Dr. Roylott's room." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. spare." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to-night." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I take the flies, but not before." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "I am sure." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and his wife has ceased to love him." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if in the hope of finding them." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness "And now?" I asked. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something crowd. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar front of me. his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to if only as a check to my own memory." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. jewels which you have stolen?' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I