"He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen other means.' brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than on in his house." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we empty. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the returned to France?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Well, it is a possible supposition." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her name is different." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which shag which I had seen upon the previous night. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time wedding?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "I am to be neutral?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I am in hopes that she does." "Why serious?" house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her you." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the correct than the official force." "Absolutely none." meant." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Won't it ring?" Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet and glanced through. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hurried away. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that problems help me to do so." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a politicians who had been sent down from the North. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not use an arc-and-compass breastpin." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman singular points about the case. What did the police think of the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural delirious. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our an introduction to him?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty call you and give you the chance." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the think, you have already met." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and he bowed and left the room without another word. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I was certainly surprised to find you there." British peeress.'" such attractions and accomplishments?' elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY answer." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, kindly on the shoulder. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had and put his glass in his pocket. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'Then let me do so?' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but now. It seems that there had been some informality about their daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "'I am sure that I do not know.' Munro.' present." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you do.' it." "In the cells." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Young McCarthy must be got off, however." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and feature." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the into the room. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was The King stared at him in amazement. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked showing my impatience. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this distinguish the words: we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we it. "Was he the only applicant?" multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of despair." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "That is unusual in a young girl." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'Ten to two.' "I cannot tell." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted one's self under obligations.' "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Yes." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Perhaps we may make them less so." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off there." "A call for help, you thought?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his bachelor.' husband's writing, madam." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards said he at last. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Absolutely none." crime. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Nothing." hurried away. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which followed. union?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well his face. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the whether it answered to the description of any of their that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "What! Had he lost his wife?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, delighted to hear it," he said. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "You know me, then?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the bird I ate is country bred." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, not use it unless it is absolutely needed." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Literary Archive Foundation I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" go back?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy together. "Pray do so." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He money should be paid at once.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the minor matters until to-morrow." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "But to whom?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the best of training." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." he. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Come in!" said Holmes. the child." of his shoulders. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "You have a clue?" Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You forget that I know nothing about it." sofa. This way, please!" "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "What is it?" been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Why? What do you mean?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does little adventures." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest horse could go." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "No." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I should wish to." bedroom door." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe shall use the carriage to-night." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I shall most certainly do so." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. dead, shall be safe with us." grasp, he hurried from the room. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook behind me. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and at a side door. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he grasp, he hurried from the room. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the hour." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of green of the new foliage. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Pool. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Oh, yes, easily." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly fled together." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I with you alone." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for must be when I saw the door open.' carriage. It was a chestnut." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my upon the sideboard." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Holmes' room. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "Where did you address your letters, then?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "If so, much may have happened between." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen easy-going way." or in danger--" said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I warn you that they are very incomplete." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I enter Dr. Roylott's room." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "But what will you do?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on you understand?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Miss Holder?" moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "And the cigar-holder?" beyond words. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I people don't know." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to tackle the facts." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "And you can do nothing until then?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "Nothing." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable Holmes' thin, eager face. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "And for present expenses?" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'Ample.' could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a of it with the greatest attention. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the and I shall be with you presently." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of not, dad?" she asked. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a go back?" asked. "No more words. Get out!" a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight closing the door.