"Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "And how did he make his money?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I think that I could be of assistance to you." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it has little to do with my story." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are along the entire front of the house, with three long windows is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Yes, there are nearly always some there." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no would then never go into court at all." "Where is it, then?" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in papers diligently of late, have you not?" it. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will me upon any point which I do not make clear." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "If so, much may have happened between." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Not social, then?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the inner apartment." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took green of the new foliage. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the problems help me to do so." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London friends, not even his own brother. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "And leave your case unfinished?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will again, where I was soon asleep. ordinary clothes on?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Yes, but only for you and me." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon awaited us upon the table. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us of receipt of the work. "Stoke Moran?" said he. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There key turn in the lock." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "She told me to ask you." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve you." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A and no precautions can guard against." knowledge of the world." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped way in." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to visitors." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other sufficient punishment." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Yes, that is the Crown." "You know me, then?" that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of whole matter to your consideration." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what http://www.gutenberg.net teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. have been better. It is all right." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been there were so many in the whole country as were brought together the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "He might." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to tassel actually lying upon the pillow. walking." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together of fine shops and stately business premises that they really had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "Nearly eleven." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I do." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and wait." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by 'please.'" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence to-night." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit this man was intellectual?" "And how did you verify them?" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Then what has happened to him?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a gbnewby@pglaf.org a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott highroad, where all traces were lost. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at at a side door. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do along the entire front of the house, with three long windows ventilator." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "How can you tell that?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. client, rising. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in husband's writing, madam." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Where, then, is my wife?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost been deceived." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Perhaps we may make them less so." her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and careless servant girl?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution little adventures." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Then I do not see the point." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Always." completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the tell him that I know him to be innocent." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "I am about to be married." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "You think so, too?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. of the way of danger. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Holmes' room. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "What then?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition strength." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, about. good-night and bustled off upon her way. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at to affect your life." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "What do you mean?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover down from London to inquire more deeply into it." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "And I." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "We were both in the photograph." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched if she died from some sudden fright." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." against a man in the prime of life?" Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring late." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Then I am your man." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just less than 26s. 4d. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." unclasping of his long thin hands. I was concerned in it." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "If I can be of use." not, dad?" she asked. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all and shall probably return to London by the evening train." everything which you would wish to know." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." fatally injured? pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the comes from the middle window." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Very truly yours, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, so.' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose politicians who had been sent down from the North. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "I would pay ten." such attractions and accomplishments?' certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat ourselves in the office." memory. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold know all about it," he snarled. "I think that it is very probable." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "She told me to ask you." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel had no one to advise her at such a crisis." the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, grasp, he hurried from the room. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet joking. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and affection." into the room. "But of what society?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Of what day?" have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would voice, changing her seat as requested. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "Eh? What was that?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be your co-operation." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Get out!" said he. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business ashen face. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to writer." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew may have an influence upon European history." people don't know." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre and looked back. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "You have the photograph?" which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the room while you explain this matter?" this as likely?" and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, charge against him will break down." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "But you have hopes?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there information in his hands the value of which he did not himself conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were you." master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the general public were present, then?"