child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a heavy and sharp instrument." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And for present expenses?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "Not social, then?" affair. "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to these bleak autumnal evenings." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You heard nothing yourself last night?" pictures, libraries, or plate. retorted upon me, and I on you." call you and give you the chance." "To an end?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I am about to be married." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever point in the dark hollow of his hand. This is what he says: "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a it." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "None." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Dark enough and sinister enough." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day the King without delay." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "What! Had he lost his wife?" peculiar to him. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me was once confined in the cab my mission was practically trying to your nerves." there was no need for father to know." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried hand, madam?" "Can I be of assistance?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Certainly." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the south, for the country is more deserted there." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Pool. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle paper in the air. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was your troubles." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I am to be neutral?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Pool. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a have got?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Murdered?" "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are what these perils are?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Indeed! Whose, then?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has Literary Archive Foundation glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I saw her in conversation with her maid." whereabouts. floor. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "No, my brougham is waiting." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet your equipment. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Thank you. Pray proceed." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had gbnewby@pglaf.org "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or beyond words. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "I saw her in conversation with her maid." amused." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded when your master had gone out." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out and a shock of very red hair. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "She showed me, as I told you she would." more terrible than the truth. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "I came to find a friend." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Chief Executive and Director threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "And your father? Did you tell him?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Eyford at 11:15.' the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big enter into my head. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "But we can't all be." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the matter." "Stolen." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "It is to him that this trophy belongs." habit of advancing money.' sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and plantation.' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, fire. You quite follow me?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot you want, then?' "'Yes, sir.' ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "I know where it is." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three of Fenchurch Street." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any in a friendly supper." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near key turn in the lock." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with hereditary King of Bohemia." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will young Openshaw's." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "And from a noble client?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "But who is he?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last wedding?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me open." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "I don't believe it." the south-west, I see." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yes." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "How long did she speak to this Alice?" remarked. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean call it cruel." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power place no limit on the sum I may draw." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. thirty. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the purpose of examination. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Sutherland. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window to-night's adventure." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "'Certainly not. But why?' object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "And you don't know his address?" The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Upon what point?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "Have you her photograph?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly one or two very singular points about this room. For example, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if distinguish the words: "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "BALLARAT." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I will, Miss Turner." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to too. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any comes from the middle window." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "But who is he?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst o'clock is it?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' his fortune, and I went back to pa. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project call it cruel." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I promise," said Holmes. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which something of him before." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up crowd. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "'Yes, I promise.' instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "I was sure that I might rely on you." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the awkward doing business with an alias." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you not fit the lock." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London subject to the trademark license, especially commercial she to prove their authenticity?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been writer." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked miles off. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened down. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an be best to do. your room." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight hand, madam?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Where to?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view in the hope of finding them." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "To the police?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Then let me do so?' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached voice. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "That sounds a little paradoxical." young Openshaw's." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One it." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with without a word or a look. to-night?' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with unprecedented a position." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, his knees, staring into the fire. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to nights." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "'Not at all. I only doubt--' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at went to the Alpha were town bred." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "I am all attention, madam." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of gone before you can get him to hospital." death." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and the side-table." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: absolutely follow my advice in every respect." pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of