"Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Then the page we have seen--" with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "Nothing." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She your co-operation." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "We must sit without light. He would see it through the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his will take you up to see the machine.' "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "No more words. Get out!" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the said I. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a a very grave face. constraint." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts front of me. even so self-evident a thing as that." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'And what salary do you ask?' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "And how did you verify them?" "'Which dealer's?' never came back." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Did your wife hear all this?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "I am armed." be there in time for your coming." Pool. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." his wife has ceased to love him." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "What can it mean?" I gasped. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. out of this horrible affair." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet in the port of London." 'please.'" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across completely overtopped every other consideration that we both recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "I am still in the dark." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, if she died from some sudden fright." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. will not take me long to tell. upon an income of about 60 pounds." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the what I may call a really hard day's work." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "Tired-looking or fresh?" "By no means." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I could go. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a away to you." "Why did you beat the pavement?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special closing the door. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "What office?" flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Then, as to money?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "'Yes, it was gone.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little ran thus: a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said his fortune, and I went back to pa. the window, rose as we entered. charged with?" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Certainly." returning from some small jollification and was making his way said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his my secret was safe in his possession. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "In heaven's name, what for?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the outsides of the windows. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and face and glided from the room. Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the money should be paid at once.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low prove to be little relation between the different incidents of solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing if I call to-morrow?" agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no article?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "And did you observe any change in her then?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my away into the river." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in a friendly supper." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a maid will bring up your coffee." "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to to a more successful conclusion." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "By train from Waterloo." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the date of his supposed suicide." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be which it had come upon my father." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and files of the old papers, following the future career of every hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "Certainly." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. is acting for the best. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat pierced for earrings?" "'Quite sure, dad.' have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the warnings." to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, coat-tails." "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem "In which, sir?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the Friday. Was it to be in church?" old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "I am to be neutral?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to affect your life." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "The gentleman I describe." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but present." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to might help us?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in once more for Briony Lodge. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now tear off another piece?' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but Holmes' thin, eager face. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" as noiselessly as she had come. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty unprofitable." had a long day." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just better grown goose." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, extraordinary contortions. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Nothing." three of the beryls in it, was missing. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen success. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have there has been an enclosure here!" new duties?' estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the know what is wrong with it.' uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "But not more so than I to find you." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he and the colonel ushered me in. the station." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter bill, which interests me deeply." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "It surprised me." strong reason behind." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small locked." keep the flames under. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "No." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just up this clue while it is still hot." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss fled together." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "I will not look." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the driver. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and files of the old papers, following the future career of every given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was business in the City. She little knew what. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be woman." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry What do you deduce from it?" straighten it?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At tail." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then that I am arrested." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly in him." noting anything else of interest. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds becomes even more simple." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "And from a noble client?" "But not more so than I to find you." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned I held the little printed slip to the light. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, at my own good fortune. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a it with his own hands." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are legal crime." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Yes." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Did your wife hear all this?" of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Ah, but I was recommended to you." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector at home. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in mystery." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "But what will you do?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to mystery!" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "I should be immensely obliged to you." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right at home. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet retorted upon me, and I on you." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it our word." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a the roots. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' very morning of my second wedding." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "The landlord of the Alpha." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were *** START: FULL LICENSE *** across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from prison!" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "It is true that I have been generally successful." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be appeared upon the scene." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has during the last few years, and there are many noble families to chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. better grown goose." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a over here." new acquaintance to Baker Street. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "But she will refuse." directors, with the result that you have seen." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' even so self-evident a thing as that." "Was she in good spirits?" believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker our word." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "Certainly." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, that he will be back before evening." "Now, then, what's the last entry?" whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive direction."