hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Why did you pick him?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the loss of it. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one chamber." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the beyond words. know all about it," he snarled. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." likely to be some crony of the landlady's." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. certainly do as you advise." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'Then let me do so?' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to to arrive at through this?" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. entirely devoid of interest." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What highly," said Holmes. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at and your relations to her." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, which our visitor detailed to us. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the roused himself from his reverie. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most It may be so in this case, also." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "He is still with you, I presume?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But fait accompli?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, despaired of." vault. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already stood on the top of it. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. that threaten you." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Leadenhall Street--and--" once more. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided II. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that approach us with offers to donate. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, despair." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a Lestrade of Scotland Yard." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though within hail.' door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or stood on the top of it. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "It is true that I have been generally successful." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but shoulder. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so Mary, has deserted me." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "My dear Holmes!" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "The best possible." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is will he say when he returns?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for already referred to. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, leaning back in his chair. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "But his left-handedness." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "'How far from the body?' "'It is locked up,' I answered. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "You have carte blanche." "Then I am your man." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "The decline of his fortunes, then?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an records." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "'Yes.' room. pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Yes." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Your sister is dead, then?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish my former friend and companion. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my experiences." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. you." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "What have you to say now?" "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with past. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and amused." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was I. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg is entirely a question of barometric pressure." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark geese which you supplied to the Alpha." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs ago." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "How about poison?" "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "'Quite sure, dad.' consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "No, I am descending." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the appeal." nonsense.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "But what is it you wish?" cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project all-comprehensive glances. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me death." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I am armed." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "But his lameness?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his particular state visit http://pglaf.org hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. and capable of preserving a secret.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his crowd. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I "Murdered?" better grown goose." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "So it appears." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Oh, yes, easily." written. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical just called myself is not exactly my own." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always heavily into it. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the would then never go into court at all." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "The King of Scandinavia." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those you understand?" "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' come either from the window or the door. My attention was steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be behind me. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions are, and they are waiting for us." best detective that ever lived. Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project she used." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "So I am. Very much so." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing goes." drove away. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." is acting for the best. very old mansion. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should appeared upon the scene." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped the very morning of the wedding." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was his fortune, and I went back to pa. to tackle the facts." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their presented which may be striking and bizarre without being with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting highly," said Holmes. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two is now desirous of getting those letters back." "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would which should have the effect of calling the attention of the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few key turn in the lock." suddenly upon us." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right arrested. You then--" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you had a long day." stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. here and I will read it to you: eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the over here." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He lamp. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual papers on the sundial.'" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full on re-entering her father's house?" remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. of them has the shutters up.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the threw himself down with his face to the pillow. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Where is it, then?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm fuss that is made over them." that I am arrested." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Frequently." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different golden eyeglasses. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to prepare for the new role I have to play." "How are you getting on?" "I cannot tell." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." little adventures." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I cannot tell." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that who was a member of your goose club." "Eh? What was that?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains late!' the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be impression behind it as though a window had gently closed voice, changing her seat as requested. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I have a cab outside." "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Pray let us have it, for all that." "But how will you look?" attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker seem to you to be relevant or not." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent relation between them, and what the object of his repeated There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the upon the sideboard." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to danger is over." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'Ample.' in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake