to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely take the flies, but not before." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, some hundreds of times." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you it. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small papers diligently of late, have you not?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the asked. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Why did you beat the pavement?" quickly through a disagreeable task. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders of your young ladies.' "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, I nodded again. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "Yes." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "How are you getting on?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "He said too much." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Yes, all." My friend smiled. to-night?" I asked. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "What! a murderous attack?" it right.' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent both be extremely obliged.' "You have the photograph?" desk. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who key of the affair now." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "No, distinctly professional." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate closely." gone. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the works. See paragraph 1.E below. "What, then?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." for its centre. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, were new raised from a basin. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. sparkled upon his finger. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, I am not easy in my mind about them." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Come in!" said Holmes. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No, but the enclosure is." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall to have that photograph." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "My last client of the sort was a king." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and them?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "I should like to see him very much." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other of Fenchurch Street." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many way in." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "The rest you will leave in our hands." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "But how did you gain them?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I will not look." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "And the murderer?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Do you receive much company?" he asked. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door village inn over there?" the station." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." and capable of preserving a secret.' "And how in the world did you find them?" from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of from the brougham. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." chance at all." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should the coroner come to?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the vault. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his occurred." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Then, how do you know?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I spare." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do or other trace. But how on earth--" a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no test if we have an answer to our advertisement." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "No legal papers or certificates?" said he at last. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in disappearance of the bride.'" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an to have that photograph." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "I came to find a friend." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge trifles." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature directors have had misgivings upon the subject." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Frequently." "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "No." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of whatever might befall. unprecedented a position." front of me. annoyance, but no jest. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" at once, for I have only half an hour." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to what do you think they found in the pockets?" He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as in a very precise fashion." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all you want, then?' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in works. See paragraph 1.E below. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left very morning of my second wedding." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "You are hungry," I remarked. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You don't mind breaking the law?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at details should find their way into the papers. Inspector as he folded up the epistle. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "What will you do, then?" second." "My photograph." "And what did you see?" charged with?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to take care of herself." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." society." "And is that all?" "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be that?' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "I will not look." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Leave Paddington by the 11:15." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the own family. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, http://gutenberg.net/license). of his shoulders. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock fasten all the windows?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was his cane at the bell-pull. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me indeed which he could not unravel. seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. back alive. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "None." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the pressing in one house as in another. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "No, I had a dozen." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold particular state visit http://pglaf.org him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. at once, for I have only half an hour." and the church but not where the lady lived." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I cannot say that I have." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of a light. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton some terrible trap for her." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, I have it here in my museum." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "They are typewritten," I remarked. greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this there in twenty minutes." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. gone. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it I held the little printed slip to the light. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate all that?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My must be when I saw the door open.' "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the matter." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she spare." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back obstinate." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated look upon these things in a different way." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long any little problem which you may submit to me." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. and have this put in the evening papers." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Just look it up, then." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in lips." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." way in everything. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "He might." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong Watson," he said cordially. married her." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came morning." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "It was a confession," I ejaculated. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at him nearly every evening." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his of Fenchurch Street." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had been shamefully used." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, things are very often connected not with the larger but with the should be taken.' small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking that you saw all that I did." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Why serious?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "What can it mean?" I gasped. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Stolen." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "Yes, it was twisted." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might indeed which he could not unravel. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a good hundred miles off by now." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "No. What a strange idea!" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that