head. So long, then!" "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "But not more so than I to find you." "Never." "Look there!" said he. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A could gather together that I was able to avert another public these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the house with me." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. hands. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. burst out into a roar of laughter. "I should like to see him very much." into the room. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his his fortune, and I went back to pa. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "An enemy?" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "No sign of it?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a page at http://pglaf.org Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "The gentleman I describe." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the stable lane now." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had becomes even more simple." left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only that you wished to speak to me?' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "One of his hands." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "What shall I do?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Come in!" said Holmes. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, disappearance of these gems?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen to go into your room and bar your shutters?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way call for it in person on Monday morning.' the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with companion. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time cheerful." I leave." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "By train from Waterloo." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "I promise," said Holmes. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "That is it on the dressing-table." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were go from here to the Strand." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and a shock of very red hair. had formerly been in part my own. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wall." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "By no means." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "My photograph." tapping his fingers upon the table. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I have a cab outside." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I cannot imagine." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns British peeress.'" as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Not him." from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking lectures into a series of tales." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, may have an influence upon European history." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. cigar and let me expound." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the stones. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'About the same.' livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "You horrify me!" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "You have carte blanche." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged there in twenty minutes." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated fasten all the windows?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Very truly yours, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Where did he live, then?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have system of imprisonment?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as all that?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that was the fact that his father should, according to his account, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And now?" He raised his hand. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." and prosperity to your house. Good-night." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place families. Now for the facts. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that obstinate." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my before the coroner and the police-court." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do acquaintance?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Nearly eleven." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. kind enough to tell me what I should do." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, again before evening." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating views." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Mrs. Toller serenely. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with straighten it?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to situation." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "By no means." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "You forget that I know nothing about it." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. prepare for the new role I have to play." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Yes, they were peculiar boots." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for system of imprisonment?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting the coronet in his hand?" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "What office?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "But to whom?" wedding?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "That was it, sir." "No." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the him nearly every evening." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Whose house is it?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her fear." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I formed some opinion?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us is four-and-twenty." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I will try. What is it?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "But not more so than I to find you." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and light and attacked it." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "And why in hopes?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Where, then?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will certainly do as you advise." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Thank you. Pray proceed." danger is over." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "10th. John Swain cleared. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "But we can't all be." my secret was safe in his possession. Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your crime. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. him. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Of Friday, June 19th." Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon promised to bring home. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." been deceived." "But how did you gain them?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is before the coroner and the police-court." "I have seen the police." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Certainly, madam." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "Only as much as we can deduce." "Precisely." morning." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Then I can wait in the next room." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, hour?' "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It looks newer than the other things?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "He is still with you, I presume?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Thank you. And your address?" one of the states of the Union." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to served to weaken the effect. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the you for a few hours?" "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, south, for the country is more deserted there." "And how did you find out?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, was a lad." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were might have a private word with us. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to have been novel and of interest." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." it. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where to-morrow." "There is the writing." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Witness: It was. "And why?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of and glanced through. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "What of the rat, then?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the