out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a the very morning of the wedding." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Stolen, then." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah my little problems." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Perhaps I have." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium directors, with the result that you have seen." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "'Yes, I promise.' of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the King without delay." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "But we can't all be." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and know all about it," he snarled. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off clanging. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while is so. I know all about McCarthy." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "I would give my fortune to have them back." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Holmes." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached call it cruel." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent meant it for the best. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "My stepfather's business papers." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "No sign of it?" glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my outside. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in and laid it on the table. meant it for the best. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the in his power. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in and shall probably return to London by the evening train." This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your in a friendly supper." vault. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "How many? I don't know." few hundred pounds.' greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and the colonel ushered me in. "Never to return." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to laugh and put his lips to my ear. if she died from some sudden fright." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a address. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. foresight and the moral retrogression?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Will you bet, then?" with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird past. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how would then never go into court at all." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "'What do you call purely nominal?' "The knees of his trousers." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, woven round him. "'And the work?' Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased call you and give you the chance." "Thank you. And your address?" you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, make me his representative both with the servants and with the of a light. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves details." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "'Certainly not.' business." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "And I say east," said my patient. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what geese which you supplied to the Alpha." to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Where to?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which second window is the one that I jumped from." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his useful material for showing traces. The double line a little if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular happened." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. woman." gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the approach us with offers to donate. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We in a friendly supper." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. ceremony." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and call the police, let the police find what they can.' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our visitors." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the walking." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and him nearly every evening." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then straighten it?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining think that he is innocent?" conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond hair?' shaken than I had ever seen him. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle towards the blaze. side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' appeal." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, business matters.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an will not take me long to tell. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about think, you have already met." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone shaken than I had ever seen him. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, I have one waiting." occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You know me, then?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short train.' I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "What can you not understand?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking you." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Yes, he did." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "We have tried and failed." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for detained." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and pound a week." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and corner of the building. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" too. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his row." face and glided from the room. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes clang of the bell. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, the driver. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." was used.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "One of the highest in England." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the always that they were such commands as a lady might with did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your delighted to hear it," he said. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised was already answered. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that comes from the middle window." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have read over the extraordinary announcement. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and forebodings. character. problems help me to do so." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Perfectly so." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly and all of them with the keenest interest. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole cigars in their mouths. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I past. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass will he say when he returns?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Absolutely none." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly there were one or two details which were new to me. But the hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Who was the criminal, then?" all that?" "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "That sounds a little paradoxical." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm returning from some small jollification and was making his way had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. back into the street. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug second." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion three of the beryls in it, was missing. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with way in everything. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Upon what point?" he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. weighed down with some great anxiety. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain that I may have something better before very many minutes are morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Why that?' I asks. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest nonsense.' "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Yes." stood on the top of it. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had think you a quite exceptional woman." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked obstinate." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Lee, in the county of Kent." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time details." Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "My own seal." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know presented more singular features than that which was associated face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Witness: Nothing definite. little adventures." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the present." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Not yet." dates and names. past. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "It is solved." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every