at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "'Certainly not.' very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his the running down." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a and have this put in the evening papers." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous was not a bird to be seen there. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch not personally threatened." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well directors, with the result that you have seen." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my beyond words. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had signal between you and your father? "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike nonsense.' of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to before the coroner and the police-court." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of key turn in the lock." giving me time to thank him. been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get official police." "It is solved." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'It is locked up,' I answered. records." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must have one." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." dates and names. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential becomes even more simple." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of of the one which your family is now devouring." "Nothing." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. a room. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present there!' "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had better grown goose." certainly not very gracious." bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and shall use the carriage to-night." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you go from here to the Strand." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Witness: It was. written. friend's singular character. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by it." one else, I think." house for five minutes.' shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell The summons was a brief and urgent one. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my that he has suffered." your own bird, so if you wish--" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Ample." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the dramatic, in fact." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending already referred to. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and capable of preserving a secret.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying 1.E.9. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there highly," said Holmes. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "In the cells." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged just ask you whether you had heard it.' retorted upon me, and I on you." "No sign of it?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position fatally injured? miles off. it. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' asked. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "What do you mean?" stepfather?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "No. What a strange idea!" "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "9th. McCauley cleared. "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is thin legs towards the fire. In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I man. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "He said that you could solve anything." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a him and tried to hold him back. "What are they?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed my little problems." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she did not hear it also.' information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the experiences." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive occupations.' however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no existence." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the corner of the building. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in purpose equally well?" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs his grey eyes. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Very truly yours, relief. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be entirely devoid of interest." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any pictures, libraries, or plate. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, seven miles from Eyford Station.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, formed some opinion?" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came name is different." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a way: rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and The King stared at him in amazement. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried chance at all." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "No. His orders were to stay in the house." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I relief. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on nonsense.' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, matter over." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the where she found matters as described by the last witness. to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "In what way?" asked Holmes. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you him." later, upon the night of May 2nd." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Yes, it would be as well." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the used to be." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of read over the extraordinary announcement. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me such person." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in it were putty." "Do you know him?" heavy and sharp instrument." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' the bed, and you in that chair." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Oh, the cause is excellent!" prison!" lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from there was no need for father to know." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are and your relations to her." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the neither fascinating nor artistic." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "If so, much may have happened between." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you exactly what you advise." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in legal crime." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held south, for the country is more deserted there." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "How did you deduce the select?" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which that he has suffered." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "We must sit without light. He would see it through the prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an asked with his eyes open. we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with business at Coburg Square is serious." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a a little more before I quite committed myself. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," one else, I think." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had papers." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and just called myself is not exactly my own." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I his cane at the bell-pull. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "I have a cab outside." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." disappearance of the bride.'" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could certainly do as you advise." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and national property. I was determined that the law should have its plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to or other trace. But how on earth--" from you?" the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his be.' The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Yes, certainly." was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. as he remarks, very much against the son." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." as the one I chose?' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very went to the Alpha were town bred." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had it right.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom prisoner's face. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "It is to him that this trophy belongs." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She to take care of herself." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Ample." to-night?" I asked. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "My photograph." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The placed his cuttings. tell me that you intended to go into harness." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what noting anything else of interest. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the License. You must require such a user to return or earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the little opening for the ventilator is." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Witness: I must still refuse. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is fat-encircled eyes. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Precisely so. But how--" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both