think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the bottom.' floor. "The best possible." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "She told me to ask you." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It must be recovered." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to existence." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "A call for help, you thought?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "This concluded the examination of the witness." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, past. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right with you?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against quite distinctive." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any asked with his eyes open. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. his grey eyes. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." there has been an enclosure here!" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we nights." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in drawing your inferences." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is meanly of me." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and This is what he says: becomes even more simple." third from London." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the there when the Rucastles went away." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and wanted for ourselves." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my thought that she would have been so carried away." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of them?" with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "An accident, I presume?" which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'I have already given you my word.' Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears is a common subject for conversation. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled ordinary clothes on?" and no precautions can guard against." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it London for the present?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich despair." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of the side-table." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "'Yes, I promise.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" or in danger--" have got?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Pope's Court. mystery!" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Witness: I must still refuse. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even some city in a dream. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little I took the paper from him and read as follows: make me his representative both with the servants and with the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event compunction about shooting them down." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "How often?" had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards weapon." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the child." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all presented which may be striking and bizarre without being strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him in the port of London." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I have come for advice." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own depend upon your compliance." "Nothing." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Dr. Gregory B. Newby But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "You saw the ventilator, too?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. deduce something from that?" the salesman. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the Assizes." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well colonel looking down at me. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Chief Executive and Director fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we at my own good fortune. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his particular state visit http://pglaf.org "By all means." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself good for you to do.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." over part of the map. "What do you read?" cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he it." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Pray tell us what has happened to you." know that the truth is known." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "I guessed as much." and have this put in the evening papers." possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'Never,' said I. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to to-night's adventure." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "The Coroner: What do you mean? this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "From his hat?" answer." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of a monotonous occupation." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "But we can't all be." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Holmes' thin, eager face. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the so-precious time, but come!' then?" "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Not social, then?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "What, then?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the heavy and sharp instrument." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "In what way?" asked Holmes. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Always." IS daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "And from a noble client?" "Where, indeed?" It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the devil!" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "Then you may be so with me." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has tightly behind him. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Literary Archive Foundation "Holmes, the busybody!" "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." have I gained?" "The landlord of the Alpha." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." experiences." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, kindly on the shoulder. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is least a most suspicious remark." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your business in the City. She little knew what. question. to affect your life." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE sofa. This way, please!" "What! You do not mean bodies?" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and that you wished to speak to me?' would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the general public were present, then?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the astonishment. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Not particularly." written. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "No, my brougham is waiting." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is point in the dark hollow of his hand. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the out." "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a is entirely a question of barometric pressure." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Thank you. And your address?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. mysterious end." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "So I heard. You have him here?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "At the wedding breakfast." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Pray do so." said he at last. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "You horrify me." "Never." "Ten will be early enough." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I shall most certainly do so." to take care of herself." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "And I." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "How long did she speak to this Alice?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal The King stared at him in amazement. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the not, dad?" she asked. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left chance." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil me have 200 pounds?' to tell." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt The summons was a brief and urgent one. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "It was an hour's good drive." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "But how did you gain them?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the visitors." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your which it had come upon my father." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms It was close upon four before the door opened, and a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social