"We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with During two years I have had three consultations and one small Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." tapping his fingers upon the table. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed you for a few hours?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "That also I could fathom." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "But not more so than I to find you." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "At the wedding breakfast." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty whole matter to your consideration." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "And you can do nothing until then?" going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever which we had just quitted. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of matters immensely." late." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "None." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard voice. tear off another piece?' were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Who by?" "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "You think so, too?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "And why?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in come either from the window or the door. My attention was "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A very old mansion. tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he woven round him. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Well." "It is a murder, then?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have not had my rubber." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose him to be an active member of the medical profession." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "No." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael lids now and glanced across at his visitor. unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "You have it, sir, just as it happened." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to down in his armchair and closing his eyes. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by sofa. This way, please!" comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Nothing." Henry Baker is a member." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's means taking possession of that which another person has a prior met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I is so. I know all about McCarthy." fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, ceremony." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have your troubles." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "'Yes.' Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Then how many are there?" said he. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, placed his cuttings. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "It's nothing of the kind." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, four million human beings all jostling each other within the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Texas, I think." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "I am armed." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. forebodings. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "It missed him, then?" call you and give you the chance." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "You have but to name it." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "One of his hands." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. as yours." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Where did you address your letters, then?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself if I call to-morrow?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old is so. I know all about McCarthy." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "It was an hour's good drive." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought distinguish the words: and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "But to whom?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have case before our client came into the room." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could lamp. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." that there was nothing in it, after all." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "At what time?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "That is possible." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be cause to be." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! maiden herself was most instructive." with some details as to your case." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "And did you observe any change in her then?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "That is easily got." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "No." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "That is unusual in a young girl." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a problems help me to do so." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "And how did you verify them?" where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "But his left-handedness." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Always." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let begin with, and I had not got mine yet." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us a very grave face. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." be sorry for having acted so harshly." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "What will you do, then?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "You have the photograph?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Surrey." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens nice household for a young lady." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman miles off. had this final quarrel? "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else purpose of examination. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving you?' "And how in the world did you find them?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," never came back." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." you?" face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Perhaps I have." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the villagers almost as much as their master. IS Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "He is still with you, I presume?" "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" washing it down with a long draught of water. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle conceal it?" the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that answer." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made lost his Christmas dinner." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to of it with the greatest attention. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, ourselves in the office." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, upon the sideboard." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "But she could not love him." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is guilty parties." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if friend's singular character. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my views." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Then I do not see the point." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Seven!" I answered. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the date of his supposed suicide." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If both be extremely obliged.' over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from you want, then?' photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'Certainly not. But why?' nonsense.' "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "Yes." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then make me his representative both with the servants and with the "He slept on the premises." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that that you wished to speak to me?' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Nothing." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "The knees of his trousers." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "But she could not love him." joking. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. call for it in person on Monday morning.' possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our way in." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "She showed me, as I told you she would." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London spare." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his