"You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a fattened it expressly for you.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the salesman. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the wedding?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which redistribution. "What is it?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the extraordinary contortions. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had comes from the middle window." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both crime." him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered brandy and water within his reach. it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in opened the door, and slipped through. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you them?" from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had families. Now for the facts. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense awaited us upon the table. entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Yes. He waved his hands." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. his face which made him a very different person to the round, upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "And how?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "What of the rat, then?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this if I call to-morrow?" but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety in a very precise fashion." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the already been minutely examined." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." as yours." "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "How are you getting on?" my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was and all of them with the keenest interest. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ of Fenchurch Street." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "He is dead," cried several voices. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'In my own bureau.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' he died? "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are second." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "What then?" writer." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most any little problem which you may submit to me." "Yes?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the call the police, let the police find what they can.' met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "We must have a cab." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I chamber." serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "And now?" I asked. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have security.' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to photograph a cabinet?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it ways including including checks, online payments and credit card Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened have accepted such a situation. "It is possible." fatally injured? "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of particular state visit http://pglaf.org Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Mary, has deserted me." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his the tragedy. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That is unusual in a young girl." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of entirely devoid of interest." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the three of the beryls in it, was missing. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as up this clue while it is still hot." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads all that?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle this remarkable episode. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to new duties?' it right.' returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "No, but the enclosure is." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "No?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone back alive. "You will not go there first?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is congratulate you again." "And I say east," said my patient. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent crackling voice. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the 1.E.9. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor could go. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included gone before you can get him to hospital." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, when you have done it." have I gained?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we breakfast?" "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have fattened it expressly for you.' "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the young Openshaw's." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and until night should bring an explanation. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, intrusion of other matters." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "He said that you could solve anything." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He highly," said Holmes. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, morning." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she it were putty." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Come in!" said he. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back she might be summoned. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was October 9, 1890. with you alone." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Not particularly." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less door?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Certainly." "What then?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the introspective fashion. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "None." Holmes." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited interested in these little problems, and since you are good received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. brain must have something in it." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such the coronet at all injured?" days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of of your young ladies.' believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There nothing with him." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I fear not." "You horrify me." a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "'Why that?' I asks. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, deduce something from that?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went important." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it recover the gem." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the were wasted." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which we went to search for him, face downward in a little the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his hair?' reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "Who by?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "And help." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who is worth.' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. him to go away.' permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. other means.' and files of the old papers, following the future career of every the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Not in a good cause." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name becomes even more simple." predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, fait accompli?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover all-comprehensive glances. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and were unconscious?" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had me have 200 pounds?' reach." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week me what he had done with the three missing stones. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would have established a very serious case against the son of the it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "And on what day did he meet his death?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the