serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some out of this horrible affair." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at that you can jump it.' take the flies, but not before." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "And Irene Adler?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. is," said he presently: believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You are hungry," I remarked. to affect your life." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Yes." confronted him. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "This photograph!" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "At the wedding breakfast." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the people in all walks of life. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "Nearly eleven." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' tapping his fingers upon the table. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom reach." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the hopeless attempt at recovering them." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought a good hundred miles off by now." him and tried to hold him back. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "The landlord of the Alpha." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. are, and they are waiting for us." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "She showed me, as I told you she would." hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "A greater distance to travel." details." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, more terrible than the truth. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I was a loud and authoritative tap. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have spare." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small His name is Francis Prosper." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the peculiar to him. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this girl said." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and do.' but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and be best to do. rooms." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend manager. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Precisely." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I room?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over front of me. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this for the market.' of fine shops and stately business premises that they really she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'How far from the body?' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a that, and I came down." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Lee, in the county of Kent." of the way of danger. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "The gentleman I describe." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Come in!" said he. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Well." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Not in a good cause." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "And how in the world did you find them?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "Yes." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "Dirty?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "But how?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to late." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" you in your example." happened." "I am following you closely," I answered. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "He said too much." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, this unhappy family?" in this way: or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a served to weaken the effect. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about in darkness. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'Entirely.' out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Nearly eleven." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Dark enough and sinister enough." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "If I can be of use." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for undoubtedly my uncle's." there!' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a strong and stiff." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him neither fascinating nor artistic." Street. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down I took the paper from him and read as follows: burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "I think that it is very probable." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Entirely." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while article?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the out of this horrible affair." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "One of his hands." window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "And Miss Sutherland?" are windows in it, of course?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried mystery may be cleared along those lines." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, arms and began to sob in a high treble key. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "To the police?" standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Dirty?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I instincts rose up against that laugh. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, case-book, which he consulted. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face tell me that you intended to go into harness." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Munro.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to unprecedented a position." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" what do you think they found in the pockets?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it acted in my house last night?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists father's young wife. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "It is possible." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "And on what day did he meet his death?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in business matters.' to a light-house. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle it means?" case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "But we can't all be." Street. get the tickets." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the the coroner come to?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and troubles have been weighing upon his mind. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the never came back." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the writing, and yet I know it well." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he them, and came down just as you departed. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I you want, then?' business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "Well, some hundreds of times." annoyance, but no jest. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and had picked up in the wood. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "I should wish to." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "Dark enough and sinister enough." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Entirely." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a you give your casting vote to?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were been able to understand it, in a very few words. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or there were so many in the whole country as were brought together ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But here." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to mystery!" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. good for you to do.' smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain DISSOLVED. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a gbnewby@pglaf.org habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. that you wished to speak to me?' The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." that he has suffered." three of the beryls in it, was missing. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "I was certainly surprised to find you there." were new raised from a basin. Holmes' room. wedding?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he from the brougham. than to us. "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely The events in question occurred in the early days of my "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "'Oh, no.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the From what you have told me I think that it is possible that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "None. Neville wrote those words." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no