"And I." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you charged with?" "But I have heard all that you have heard." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is is four-and-twenty." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my disturbance in my wife." "Seven!" I answered. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Countess of Morcar's?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "What then?" "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with should be taken.' door?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need standing smiling on the door-step. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United a good hundred miles off by now." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can it right.' sofa. This way, please!" hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California overpowering excitement and concern. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE head. So long, then!" business matters.' begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Did your wife hear all this?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "This photograph!" I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "What do you mean?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "In the cells." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I am sure." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which might have a private word with us. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa province." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "Very murderous indeed." "That is unusual in a young girl." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot my friend's incisive reasoning. round and wave him away like that.' detained." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save infinite languor in his face. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away my former friend and companion. "That's no good." married her." furiously. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Absolutely none." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or six. Come in!" look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual during the last few years, and there are many noble families to do.' come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "An accident, I presume?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "Could he throw no light?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat ago." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "What office?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when at my remark. to that open window." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the upon the shelf for the interim." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the running down." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "That is possible." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my lumber-room." five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my which I could not give. He asked for Alice. miles off. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came had no one to advise her at such a crisis." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the fire. You quite follow me?" important." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given that I may have something better before very many minutes are as this. Pray let me have the details." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot asked. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. front of the hall door has given its name to the place. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' writing, and yet I know it well." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "That is it on the dressing-table." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" following enigmatical notices: said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I shall most certainly do so." myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I shall be delighted." surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was indeed which he could not unravel. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; him to be an active member of the medical profession." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, least a most suspicious remark." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see hands. "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Yes." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was little trying to do so much typewriting?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But rooms." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the burst out into a roar of laughter. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every be there in time for your coming." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "But what harm can there be in that?" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten furiously. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of the vacancies.' found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying there in twenty minutes." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then upon an income of about 60 pounds." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off and wait." "What then?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we approach us with offers to donate. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have national property. I was determined that the law should have its "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face that I am arrested." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so handed it to him. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Ten will be early enough." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And I." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw States. your co-operation." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at companion. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "ARAT," I read. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "Where did you address your letters, then?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in see a sister of mine apply for." "He disappeared so suddenly." to take care of herself." better in every way that they should make their position a little Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." peculiar to him. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, night.' said he. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case know all about it," he snarled. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he voice. prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the woman." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you redistribution. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "That is it on the dressing-table." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was followed. deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Yes, he did." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his crime." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small mystery may be cleared along those lines." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back emerged. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Yes, but only for you and me." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Have you it here?" "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'Yes, I promise.' thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Most admirably.' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Have you it here?" "Oh, yes, easily." you?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free nonsense.' Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I cannot imagine." "'I have heard so.' down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone Countess of Morcar's?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "How often?" unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered new duties?' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I tail." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. remarked. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "From his hat?" long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon you came in." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "In answer to an advertisement." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Indeed! Whose, then?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and John Swain, of St. Augustine. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. appointment with me for six o'clock?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into the devil!" public press." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Who was the criminal, then?" "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "That was it, sir." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Can I be of assistance?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that his forehead." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of at my remark. thirty. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant through." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "It is very clear." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Then I can wait in the next room." said he. "Tired-looking or fresh?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the attention." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "'And what salary do you ask?' fait accompli?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are