have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' voice, changing her seat as requested. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply were wasted." "Proceed, then." "I guessed as much." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant later, upon the night of May 2nd." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the will be renamed. pound a week." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "Have you it here?" her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "It is very clear." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the to change my dress. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "The Coroner: What do you mean? I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as and capable of preserving a secret.' astonishment. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the coronet at all injured?" indiscretion." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward chambers. the date of his supposed suicide." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then reach." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think yet." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the himself in a perplexing position. not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Your sister is dead, then?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain heavily into it. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and purpose equally well?" "Nothing." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Have you good authority for what you say?" even so self-evident a thing as that." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "It is no ordinary one." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' it." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning attention." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "But you were on a friendly footing?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing asked. these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "What then?" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I both be extremely obliged.' and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the I nodded again. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "It certainly sounds feasible." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in depend upon your compliance." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Yes." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you easy-going way." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "Then I am your man." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what were wasted." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "And that is--" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save away into the river." copied or distributed: "Entirely." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I say that I have solved it." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as sound at heart." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to God! What an exposure! What can I do?" of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, a good hundred miles off by now." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But outsides of the windows. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Have you her photograph?" up this clue while it is still hot." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Sutherland. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of fine shops and stately business premises that they really few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a recover the gem." papers." "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Come in!" said he. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little joking. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in the so-precious time, but come!' relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I have my revolver," said I. "What is it?" days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser best detective that ever lived. "But how will you look?" cost them two and thirty pounds." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this really the only notable feature about the thing." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back my friend's incisive reasoning. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say this truth that in these little records of our cases which you putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or suddenly upon us." "'And what salary do you ask?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the night.' matters immensely." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "To the police?" "He is dead," cried several voices. Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." were unconscious?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Witness: I must still refuse. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes had died away into the silence from which it rose. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Her father is very rich?" bachelor.' humiliation." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Of what day?" arrangements." bled considerably." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "10th. John Swain cleared. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the companion. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He his face. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Bought." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I girl said." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very then?" "Perfectly so." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in a little more before I quite committed myself. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not village inn over there?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been writer." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "The murder was done with it." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" lips." "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending past. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "It missed him, then?" souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I fattened it expressly for you.' to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "'Entirely.' The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' locked. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken nothing with him." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they go from here to the Strand." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "And Irene Adler?" way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." cup of tea. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an fire. You quite follow me?" "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other is worth.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Nearly eleven." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes already been minutely examined." reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that what do you think they found in the pockets?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'Certainly not. But why?' was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." him, that man would not have given me such complete information There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is fat-encircled eyes. "Was the window open?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people fuss that is made over them." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "And Miss Sutherland?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "And how in the world did you find them?" "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the You want to know what became of those geese?" closing the door. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." went to the Alpha were town bred." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. his eyes and forehead. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "I am sure." "It surprised me." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project be there in time for your coming." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I think it very unlikely." daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." the window, rose as we entered. arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "Seven!" I answered. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Murdered?" Where does the thing come from?' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "My last client of the sort was a king." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "It goes to the housekeeper's room." beg that you will break it off." head. So long, then!" slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' murdered man." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Eyford at 11:15.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to his face which made him a very different person to the round, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where his eyes and forehead. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled meanly of me." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Yes." wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which wall." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door His smile broadened. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'Ample.' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think room. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all