chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. remarked. "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Then I shall certainly come." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his only touch the interest." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Then what has happened to him?" "But you have hopes?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so other means.' mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "It missed him, then?" the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "You'll never persuade me to believe that." danger is over." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came examination of the premises, but without finding anything which into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." flock.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "You horrify me!" people don't know." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "'What are you doing there?' he asked. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual to his chemical studies. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Eyford at 11:15.' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." sufficient punishment." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is one else, I think." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be vague figure huddled up in the darkness. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men II. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have foresight and the moral retrogression?" of campaign. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some not come at once?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself bachelor.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes, that is the Crown." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge to Leatherhead. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'And the work?' gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her think, you have already met." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Not I." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it better in every way that they should make their position a little sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend details should find their way into the papers. Inspector arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "But of what society?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. it means?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "He said that you could solve anything." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I see no marks." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "And leave your case unfinished?" "Game for a morning drive?" Gutenberg-tm License. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I have a cab outside." arrested. You then--" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. fasten all the windows?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I assure you that I am in your hands." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "How can you tell that?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. matter." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to carried out of court." of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me interest. They are important, you understand, without being "That was it, sir." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his trying to your nerves." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." to his chemical studies. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before the coroner come to?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, whereabouts. them present such singular features as the strange train of "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the best of training." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent some water from a caraffe. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had case before our client came into the room." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "'And what salary do you ask?' gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and enter into my head. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, fait accompli?" in a very precise fashion." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "And it is--" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Where is it, then?" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. that he will be back before evening." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, whole matter to your consideration." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "I am to be neutral?" think that any burglar could have done. papers diligently of late, have you not?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left DAMAGE. "At the wedding breakfast." Holmes." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "What steps will you take?" I asked. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has was the fact that his father should, according to his account, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed is acting for the best. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to said I. again on its way. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where he. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering several quiet little villages up there." "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. a good hundred miles off by now." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "How did you deduce the select?" fire. You quite follow me?" will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in you." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Imitated." down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "Pray let us have it, for all that." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and character. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained 11:15.' "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It coroner's jury." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great wedding?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very had no one to advise her at such a crisis." a monotonous occupation." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Dark enough and sinister enough." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided happened." "What then?" shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I think that I had better go, Holmes." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the very morning of the wedding." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "You think that he is dead?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "But how could you guess what the motive was?" warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he matter over." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the have an American origin." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my at home. "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Nothing?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through here and I will read it to you: my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." soul! here is her carriage at the door." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. here and I will read it to you: "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading fear." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and put his glass in his pocket. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, intimate personal affairs in this public manner." always that they were such commands as a lady might with In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge went to the Alpha were town bred." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in For additional contact information: "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no my special province." sooner or later she must fall a victim. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. you in your example." husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too them present such singular features as the strange train of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Well." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what three of the beryls in it, was missing. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress hair?' work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. discontent upon his features. problems help me to do so." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project daring than any effort of the imagination." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "But his left-handedness." room. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "You are hungry," I remarked. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Which dealer's?' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had me. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, business in the City. She little knew what. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Come in!" said Holmes. "That is possible." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend writers could invent nothing more crude." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the to me. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "The gentleman I describe." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak know what is wrong with it.' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. up this clue while it is still hot." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Where, then?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "'And the work?' definite end. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders to me. he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "And your mother is alive?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I was mad--insane." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "What! a murderous attack?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through photograph?" of." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. sufficient punishment." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to absorbing." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face there." "It is solved." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own