collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers voice. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit you understand?" the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "My photograph." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly way in everything. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "But how will you look?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to and the whole place is in a blaze." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the house with me." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Pray continue your narrative." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's of this gang." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." she to prove their authenticity?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of matter over." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "And help." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and desk. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the morning and make my own way in the world.' thin legs towards the fire. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether he bowed and left the room without another word. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "No, I had a dozen." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not shoulder. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and it need not interfere very much with one's other credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few his face which made him a very different person to the round, astonishment. used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the prisoner's face. forehead. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "My dear Holmes!" least a fellow-countryman. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we cigars in the box." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence It may be so in this case, also." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most than was visible to me." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague before the coroner and the police-court." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Who by?" half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that been able to understand it, in a very few words. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "But of what society?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his distinguish the words: "Not in the least." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "'You cannot say what it was?' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only towards the blaze. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. congratulate you again." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce present strange and interesting features that it is no easy compunction about shooting them down." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, bears upon the case?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have a monotonous occupation." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from few hundred pounds.' would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "That was it, sir." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "If I can be of use." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, character. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Precisely so. But how--" "How did he come?" us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot written. emerged. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Tired-looking or fresh?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Yes." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "And from a noble client?" not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear works. See paragraph 1.E below. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue as he folded up the epistle. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "About a month then." grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect him, that man would not have given me such complete information "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I fait accompli?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Yes, certainly." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no without a word or a look. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences What do you deduce from it?" American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "How do you know, then?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since least a most suspicious remark." "But what harm can there be in that?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Tired-looking or fresh?" memory. "Yes." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, ourselves in the office." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, that threaten you." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "'Oh, no.' "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It power." "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "And Irene Adler?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away there was no need for father to know." stepfather?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun train from Paddington which would bring you there at about have I gained?" one's self under obligations.' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' it means?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, bearing upon the case." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Awake, Watson?" he asked. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with towards the blaze. "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even dates and names. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "It goes to the housekeeper's room." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question your equipment. events than those which have happened in my own family." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, that you can jump it.' old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "Where, then?" occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the inner apartment." look dissatisfied." that you wished to speak to me?' ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "'Which dealer's?' after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "My dear Holmes!" no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I say it is." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Yes, it would be as well." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" over part of the map. "What do you read?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous meanly of me." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the did not hear it also.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Holmes, the busybody!" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door London for the present?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming McCarthy." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged quite distinctive." "Pray let us have it, for all that." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Never." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an do.' red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know memory. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I him to be an active member of the medical profession." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "How did that help you?" sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Stolen." success. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that cup of tea. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it woman who has had her own way to make in the world. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; then?" for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who without success. At last the little money which I had saved began and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' introspective fashion. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "I am armed." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards business at Coburg Square is serious." you in yours." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the address that was given us in the advertisement. "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "That's no good." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small hardly wander." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his criminal. We have already had experience of such." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, instincts rose up against that laugh. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in people in all walks of life. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, fasten all the windows?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "But what is it you wish?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Farm upon the left." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, It may be so in this case, also." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two habit of advancing money.' My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "I will, Miss Turner." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "You are hungry," I remarked. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain congratulate you again." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you becomes even more simple." and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar.