simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, 1.F. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "The doctor?" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible will he say when he returns?" upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told your room." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "It certainly sounds feasible." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened read it out to me." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but quick march!" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father infinite languor in his face. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the the best of training." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" him to go away.' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "But you would not advise me to refuse?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was you." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. direction." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Eh? What was that?" almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and galvanised. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you that threaten you." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a case-book, which he consulted. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "In answer to an advertisement." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court bearing upon the case." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "May I see it?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen that, and I came down." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made that?' "I will do it." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. guilty one." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "Perhaps I have." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes them present such singular features as the strange train of of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "What have you to say now?" locked. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; upon an income of about 60 pounds." In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Murdered?" "Yes." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered are, and they are waiting for us." "Then you may be so with me." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as help us in this matter." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face I think that I could be of assistance to you." closing the door. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon business matters.' headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the coroner come to?" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "Pray do so." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the Assizes." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and the bottom.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you way: the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my shag which I had seen upon the previous night. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "I should like to see him very much." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something must be when I saw the door open.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. placed his cuttings. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Young McCarthy must be got off, however." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "It is possible." "I know where it is." prisoner's face. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "'Not at all. I only doubt--' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the bed, and you in that chair." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we him nearly every evening." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Whose house is it?" "How did you trace it, then?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman to me. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "And did you observe any change in her then?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Certainly." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to as this. Pray let me have the details." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' status with the IRS. page at http://pglaf.org him to go away.' have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a For additional contact information: 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the very morning of the wedding." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "The landlord of the Alpha." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Dr. Becher's." stepfather?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining even so self-evident a thing as that." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door think, you have already met." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "A thing like a cleaver," said he. how narrow had been my escape. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the at a side door. "She told me to ask you." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "It missed him, then?" wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I The King stared at him in amazement. cause to be." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H without a word or a look. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear in the dead of the night?' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "I am still in the dark." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "What steps will you take?" I asked. here and I will read it to you: "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had The telegram which we eventually received came late one night companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported certainly not very gracious." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "And how in the world did you find them?" "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a shoulder. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and lumber-room." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and effective." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual swore that no one else had been in the front room during the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, husband's writing, madam." eavesdroppers?' "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far perplexity from it to my illustrious client. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "That is also quite modern," said the lady. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "The Cedars?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. with frightened eyes at his accuser. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my guilty one." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he page at http://pglaf.org precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "The best possible." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "That is easily got." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Yes." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "But how?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." appeared upon the scene." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I careless servant girl?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Yes. He waved his hands." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of would apply.' penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal yet." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is said I. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, politicians who had been sent down from the North. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "None." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Have you her photograph?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." off." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But in this way: and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again to surprise her." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call directors, with the result that you have seen." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens you." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very remarked. "We were both in the photograph." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We disappearance of the bride.'" come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to direction." II. master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "Yes." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "And what then?" important."