"Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "'Very good.' "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No good news?" me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I came to find a friend." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "'I have already given you my word.' felt?" the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "Oh, yes, easily." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the row." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, appeal." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few miles off. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I have hopes." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Then I can wait in the next room." "Was she in good spirits?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Most admirably.' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred cause to be." clang of the bell. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "You horrify me!" was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Not in a good cause." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed fish-monger and a tide-waiter." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the stable lane now." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner death." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the south-west, I see." met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now States. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, to a light-house. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the presented more singular features than that which was associated use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "There are none." "At what time?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of ran thus: station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "My own seal." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately it." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Frequently." "How many? I don't know." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Yes, from Horsham." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "But I have heard all that you have heard." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic long narrative. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big everything which you would wish to know." 1.F. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, tied." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the south-west, I see." "'Where to?' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I don't say that. Perhaps." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "The gentleman I describe." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for was not a bird to be seen there. were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would these bleak autumnal evenings." dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Precisely." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. the station." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. up this clue while it is still hot." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found what I may call a really hard day's work." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "One of the highest in England." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the maiden herself was most instructive." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Texas, I think." dates and names. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At the Assizes." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "So I heard. You have him here?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the written, and locked the door of the office after me. quickly through a disagreeable task. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was how narrow had been my escape. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will you in your example." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been matters immensely." take the flies, but not before." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, get the tickets." "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his sound at heart." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to success. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "None." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held or other trace. But how on earth--" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they III. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Imitated." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and have this put in the evening papers." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call the coroner come to?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." and that he would see to anything that turned up. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." very old mansion. "Then, as to money?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and wall." mystery may be cleared along those lines." very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were villagers almost as much as their master. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite is now desirous of getting those letters back." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in not within a twentieth part of the market price." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows south, for the country is more deserted there." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and business came to an end." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "He disappeared so suddenly." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert and the church but not where the lady lived." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily tell me that you intended to go into harness." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, that I can to serve you." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have note?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Well, it is a possible supposition." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the prepare for the new role I have to play." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. best detective that ever lived. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with thin legs towards the fire. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE better grown goose." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less dramatic, in fact." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And how have you succeeded?" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for against a man in the prime of life?" matters immensely." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office that you saw all that I did." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom standing smiling on the door-step. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were purpose of examination. "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Whose house is it?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to forebodings. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has tear off another piece?' "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what overpowering excitement and concern. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Dark enough and sinister enough." front of me. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Yes." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Was he the only applicant?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Can I be of assistance?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the trifles." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of down. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "You are hungry," I remarked. fat-encircled eyes. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. you do it in twenty minutes!' silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts information in his hands the value of which he did not himself pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the Cross for the Continent." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside assist you in forming an opinion." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more perplexity from it to my illustrious client. take the flies, but not before." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had there in twenty minutes." "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the so-precious time, but come!' theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "And how did he make his money?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." late." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." you give your casting vote to?" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be power." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, him to be an active member of the medical profession." "You are hungry," I remarked. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Awake, Watson?" he asked. yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such