little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the should be so warm over such a trifle." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may asked. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman used to be." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could Gutenberg-tm License. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I upon the shelf for the interim." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Yes." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door been shamefully used." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere and no precautions can guard against." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. my little problems." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Deserted you?" Leave Paddington by the 11:15." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And how?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings night.' said he. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird your co-operation." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we bedroom door." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I have hopes." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming easy-going way." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his pity, because in other respects you would really have done very he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in green of the new foliage. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "What! a murderous attack?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" charged with?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a made him keep the appointment." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to me. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "And why?" of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Of what?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look face and glided from the room. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their events, Mr. Windibank!" corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to the iron safe, which he closed upon it. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Arthur Conan Doyle glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked there has been an enclosure here!" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the important." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her in his power. speckled band?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you question you as to those details which seem to me to be most began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying experiences." ways including including checks, online payments and credit card repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to emerged. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, interest. They are important, you understand, without being some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he as the one I chose?' "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. note?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would have accepted such a situation. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all my special province." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT way: chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "No, finished." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a man. I know him from the photograph." to a more successful conclusion." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. them?" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted key turn in the lock." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "I cannot imagine." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come any." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" awaited us upon the table. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the This is what he says: to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Most admirably.' ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "I would give my fortune to have them back." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "How are you getting on?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them and put his glass in his pocket. companion quietly. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. appeared upon the scene." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in rat could hardly pass through." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "Witness: Nothing definite. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "You heard nothing yourself last night?" would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent said I. "I do." "So I heard. You have him here?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, His name is Francis Prosper." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "It is his hat." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "You have but to name it." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into reach." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "You have a clue?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and distinguish the words: remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a will find little credit to be gained out of this case." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "'What do you call purely nominal?' dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Where, indeed?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen from the brougham. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. careless servant girl?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Married! When?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying weary and pale-looking. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Was your sister dressed?" which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all straightened it out again. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked a very grave face. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of spark where all is dark to me." written. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "One?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at despair." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'A dozen yards or so.' passage and a tap at the door. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the together. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the as he folded up the epistle. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind a little more before I quite committed myself. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached soul! here is her carriage at the door." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he such attractions and accomplishments?' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see nights." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My your co-operation." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. Holmes rather sternly. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of were unconscious?" in one or two places in England?' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said appointment with me for six o'clock?" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "We must have a cab." finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk notes," he said. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Where to?" that he has suffered." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Serpentine Avenue. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Was he the only applicant?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the morning and make my own way in the world.' "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning see me here to avoid scandal." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have burst out into a roar of laughter. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss over with notes and figures. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Yes." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "'You doubt its value?' he asked. closing the door. particular state visit http://pglaf.org saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "'Never.' "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a asked. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking when your master had gone out." her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong suddenly upon us." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "At half-wages, in fact." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; again." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a bachelor.' straightened it out again. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, me." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "My photograph." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "That you are never beaten." was keenly on my guard against him. his forehead." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and not come at once?" "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** galvanised. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "But to whom?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime soul! here is her carriage at the door." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "A call for help, you thought?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. were wasted." locked. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it lids now and glanced across at his visitor. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "I say that I have solved it." go back?" Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Holmes' thin, eager face. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Indeed! Whose, then?" the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "It was an hour's good drive." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at closely." side. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing papers must be those that are destroyed.' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You