a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn own family. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "But to whom?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal since then to throw any light upon what became of him." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the habit of advancing money.' "The best possible." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. client, rising. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the is," said he presently: that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "I am still in the dark." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must works. See paragraph 1.E below. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the south-west, I see." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Then I shall certainly come." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you like gravel from a pit.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. opportunities to fix the problem. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for father's young wife. direction." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Have you her photograph?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "No, thank goodness, she did not." woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third house for five minutes.' see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a me have 200 pounds?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "A thing like a cleaver," said he. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "BALLARAT." "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses the inquest, and which are worth considering." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? had a long day." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Not I." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "You did not overhear what they said?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I despair." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. her also." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "In which, sir?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town standing smiling on the door-step. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from stalked out of the room. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some without a word or a look. written, and locked the door of the office after me. might have a private word with us. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "If I can be of use." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in think, you have already met." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the locked. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Very truly yours, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very tell me that you intended to go into harness." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any face and glided from the room. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the stable lane now." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but you came in." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Certainly, madam." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the Assizes." the so-precious time, but come!' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the best of training." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet fear." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court hurried by. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the roots. "To the police?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend manager. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Stolen." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It must compliment you." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. for the market.' the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon six. Come in!" made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for I think that I could be of assistance to you." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, was the fact that his father should, according to his account, again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little figure." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Very. But will he see it?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't foot. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you whatever might befall. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with searched, without anything being found which could incriminate other, as fresh and trim as possible. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable This is what he says: Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "Then I shall certainly come." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "The King of Scandinavia." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "My dear Holmes!" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. nights." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of shag which I had seen upon the previous night. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Street. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will upon the white wrist. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Very much so." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "'What, the red-headed man?' Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would call it cruel." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the conclusions. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that the warnings." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'Not at all. I only doubt--' to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his that there was nothing in it, after all." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. to-morrow." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Was your sister dressed?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out depend upon your compliance." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment yards of it?' his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there information in his hands the value of which he did not himself he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "And your father? Did you tell him?" empty. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of campaign. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "My dear Holmes!" "Yes, but only for you and me." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune 1.F. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Street. "'Yes, sir.' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. on in his house." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round newspaper selections." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no do you make of it all?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door memory. "Quite so." I took the paper from him and read as follows: A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my nice household for a young lady." not within a twentieth part of the market price." that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "I am still in the dark." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked vault. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the with you alone." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the depend upon your compliance." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project views." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, overpowering excitement and concern. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "Perhaps we may make them less so." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to laugh and put his lips to my ear. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent sooner or later she must fall a victim. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Here?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a me what he had done with the three missing stones. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Again Holmes raved in the air. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and gbnewby@pglaf.org was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I purpose equally well?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, sit on the left-hand side of the driver." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird beyond words. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "Certainly." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past me." "Perhaps I have." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "No?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "At half-wages, in fact." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Nothing." Lestrade of Scotland Yard." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock your bag." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that to surprise her." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to mysterious end." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem recover the gem." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom formed some opinion?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project tapping his fingers upon the table. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, families. Now for the facts. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six rooms." "Yes, I have one waiting." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with man. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be think that any burglar could have done. mystery!" threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "That you are never beaten." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell dramatic, in fact." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given national property. I was determined that the law should have its laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Yes, certainly." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my