"Has he come with you to-night?" slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "A greater distance to travel." always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "What shall I do?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is quickly through a disagreeable task. voice, changing her seat as requested. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "I am all attention, madam." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "You were travelling in the States?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the ready to-morrow?' stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Quite so." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "I guessed as much." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most brought there to personate someone, and the real person is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I a room. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it exactly what you advise." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Where could I find him?' It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully vault. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. forehead. "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in galvanised. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the papers." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' your bag." you?' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the stones. sake, don't!" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "When did she vanish, then?" to-night?" I asked. certainly not very gracious." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded I shall communicate with you." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It must be recovered." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business very old mansion. some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "I assure you that I am in your hands." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." bird I ate is country bred." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" bare slabs of marble. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. conceal it?" house for five minutes.' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked most important business. It is probable that he will be away all little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the good-night and bustled off upon her way. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business directly by questioning you." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us breakfast?" "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' which should have the effect of calling the attention of the said I. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "I will do it." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I answered that I had not. chance." "By no means." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My people don't know." few hundred pounds.' "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "No, distinctly professional." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Here?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry tear off another piece?' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to affect your life." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but is so. I know all about McCarthy." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his happened." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "'What, the red-headed man?' companion. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Doctor, of the paper and the date." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Then I am your man." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that copied or distributed: "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I will get her to show me." with the outside air!" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would tell me that you intended to go into harness." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Very good.' it right.' freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "Bought." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "It is a murder, then?" said he. habit of advancing money.' "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I enter Dr. Roylott's room." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I examine." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. is worth.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your several quiet little villages up there." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal as yours." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the bird I ate is country bred." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "But she will refuse." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "No, thank goodness, she did not." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my it." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a second." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to take care of herself." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little you?' "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some undoubtedly my uncle's." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may The King stared at him in amazement. His smile broadened. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "From his hat?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "No, finished." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his where we are going." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be papers diligently of late, have you not?" narrative." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "Yes, I have one waiting." "I think that it is very probable." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "A client, then?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar and the colonel ushered me in. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Holmes. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the few hundred pounds.' forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to yards of it?' Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock I took the paper from him and read as follows: to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the important." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "On Monday." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the and the whole place is in a blaze." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Come in!" said he. against a man in the prime of life?" "Witness: Nothing definite. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt astonishment. tail." delighted to hear it," he said. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was locked." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Then you may be so with me." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "But how did you gain them?" the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one helping a boy to put up the shutters. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." answered with a sidelong glance. note?" clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" would apply.' housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I see many objections to any such theory." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Whose house is it?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "My Mary? Impossible!" away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "Dark enough and sinister enough." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "Precisely." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the DISSOLVED. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I am sure." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "No, I am descending." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past you understand?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say woven round him. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "And the cigar-holder?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity questioning and rather startled gaze. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of in the hope of finding them." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what outside." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could astonishment. would apply.' over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a