tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the lamp in his hand. and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I cannot think." drawing your inferences." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Yes." head. So long, then!" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to his face. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "How often?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Yes." "That is easily got." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the rat could hardly pass through." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Dr. Becher's." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Yes, only one." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "'I am sure if I had known--' "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It is his hat." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the ourselves in the office." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; been anything against him. He had for years been known as a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "No." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "I think it very unlikely." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter morning." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking have been better. It is all right." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. present." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best present." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little call it cruel." "Nothing?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their very morning of my second wedding." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Deserted you?" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my the side-table." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "You have a clue?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to surprise her." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was be there in time for your coming." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover you." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "That also I could fathom." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." Heh?' "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and which we had just quitted. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Then the page we have seen--" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "The Cedars?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from take the flies, but not before." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what dates and names. his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything when your master had gone out." people in all walks of life. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been events than those which have happened in my own family." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was some mystery and the punishment of some crime." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Sholtos." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I cheerful." of campaign. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for examination of the premises, but without finding anything which aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "No, I am descending." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And Irene Adler?" could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and glanced through. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a may have an influence upon European history." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "That was it, sir." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have the date of his supposed suicide." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was never came back." along the entire front of the house, with three long windows this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "How long did she speak to this Alice?" appeal." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning individual and becomes the badge of a society." least a most suspicious remark." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I was it brought him the coronet? thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the which was all perfectly true. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. fire. You quite follow me?" case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the very letters. But what is this written above them?' into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was business." the ceiling. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then I do not see the point." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for of the vacancies.' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have had picked up in the wood. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "You heard nothing yourself last night?" research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. there in twenty minutes." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able investigation." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Not in a good cause." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Where to?" wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, started for the Temple to see my husband. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, in a friendly supper." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "A confidential servant?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your national property. I was determined that the law should have its have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "My stepfather's business papers." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It goes to the housekeeper's room." said I. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, arrested. You then--" the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. should be taken.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring up this clue while it is still hot." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are it with his own hands." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate The King stared at him in amazement. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were during which he might have communicated with his friend the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in think that any burglar could have done. had a long day." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help ill-usage at the hands of fortune. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "What do you make of that, Watson?" sake, don't!" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. do.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who you." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You have carte blanche." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived pound a week." which we had just quitted. sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's think that he is innocent?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." think, you have already met." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across is worth.' A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Did he not advertise?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural forebodings. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was not come at once?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying written, and locked the door of the office after me. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It is half-past ten now." "No." and the church but not where the lady lived." my friend's incisive reasoning. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need instincts rose up against that laugh. "Where did you address your letters, then?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. noting anything else of interest. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open call it cruel." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices photograph a cabinet?" you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it point in the dark hollow of his hand. you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 overpowering excitement and concern. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the night.' with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." see me here to avoid scandal." the very morning of the wedding." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "I am in hopes that she does." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the warnings." and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you particular state visit http://pglaf.org to affect your life." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. cost them two and thirty pounds." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in like that before?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his comes from the middle window." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Stolen, then." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. as the one I chose?' It was close upon four before the door opened, and a I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "But how?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Foundation "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the so-precious time, but come!' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide fish-monger and a tide-waiter." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, congratulate you again." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond