charge against him will break down." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I feature." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress directors have had misgivings upon the subject." read over the extraordinary announcement. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in a good hundred miles off by now." companion imperturbably. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and I shall be with you presently." the Assizes." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a your only hope of safety." States. "An accident, I presume?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I this man was intellectual?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those strength of mind to control. you." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "It certainly sounds feasible." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It joking. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as is four-and-twenty." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal annoyance, but no jest. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. Holmes. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty already referred to. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort you found me to-night--and running through the front room she beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." of the one which your family is now devouring." said I. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just off." "By no means." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness Arthur Conan Doyle greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Very murderous indeed." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that could not have written that. It is the German who is so tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated night.' said he. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We your bag." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to standing smiling on the door-step. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and off." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Sholtos." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Were they all fastened this morning?" for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped mystery may be cleared along those lines." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush mysterious business." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an to miss it." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to side. whereabouts. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. young Openshaw's." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "One of his hands." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." could gather together that I was able to avert another public the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "It is to him that this trophy belongs." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and files of the old papers, following the future career of every have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and results." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington just ask you whether you had heard it.' helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had very morning of my second wedding." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a the iron safe, which he closed upon it. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in your room." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all the date of his supposed suicide." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, was a perfect sample of the class. here." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "But how could you guess what the motive was?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." hair?' trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "So I have heard." "Yes, the wine-cellar." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the father's place of business?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." disturbance in my wife." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better think that he is innocent?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "But who is he?" commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and that he would see to anything that turned up. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other more terrible than the truth. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "None. Neville wrote those words." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of believe that I should never have any practice at all. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some papers on the sundial.'" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "How on earth--" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from matter." "But how?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "It is possible." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." know what is wrong with it.' "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." have been better. It is all right." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per head. So long, then!" "Of Friday, June 19th." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Dr. Becher's." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in said he at last. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the case before our client came into the room." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, several quiet little villages up there." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, meanly of me." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is the Red-headed League." "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "You think so, too?" sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a matters immensely." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to it." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Pool. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The were unconscious?" compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety a little more before I quite committed myself. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" touch that coronet?' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "My dear Holmes!" Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Yes, from Horsham." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Holmes rather sternly. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Leadenhall Street--and--" "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the the little opening for the ventilator is." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "And you can do nothing until then?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Your sister is dead, then?" see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Ah, but I was recommended to you." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet you came in." to have been novel and of interest." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an delighted to hear it," he said. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the astonishment. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, be there in time for your coming." humiliation." "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade British peeress.'" The telegram which we eventually received came late one night chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for morning." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar orange pips. weapon." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Married! When?" floor. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the room while you explain this matter?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in interest. They are important, you understand, without being the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the inquest, and which are worth considering." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "It must be recovered." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm be there in time for your coming." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, quick march!" even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned jewels which you have stolen?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And is that all?" "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "But I have heard all that you have heard." crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child astonishment. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the to affect your life." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "'Then let me do so?' http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Yes." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." beg that you will break it off." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very are, and they are waiting for us." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "It is no ordinary one." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Yes, all." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his think that any burglar could have done. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical go back?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism an introduction to him?" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Imitated." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every cigars in their mouths. "And I say east," said my patient. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Deserted you?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Yes, sir." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and "Yes, that is the Crown." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short that, and I came down." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Can I be of assistance?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything cigars in their mouths. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Her father is very rich?" done what I asked you, Jones?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Pray tell us what has happened to you." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which salesman. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of business." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my back to my heart. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest points to suicide?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back States. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before