"I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain character. "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It Surrey." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in shoulder. poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Then you may be so with me." "We have tried and failed." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of lumber-room." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set a little more before I quite committed myself. "On Monday." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And why?" "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I say it is." go back?" horse could go." held up the lantern and gazed about him. their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Did you become engaged then?" "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency the coronet in his hand?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. confronted him. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "So I have heard." over part of the map. "What do you read?" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "It is his hat." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "ARAT," I read. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had you?' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of my former friend and companion. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was again." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "By all means." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she out of this horrible affair." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case III. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some of Fenchurch Street." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Married! When?" I nodded to show that I had heard. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! mysterious end." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible the very morning of the wedding." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my during that time.' paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal London for the present?" offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the little opening for the ventilator is." owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "How are you getting on?" "How on earth--" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "You'll never persuade me to believe that." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "No more words. Get out!" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit skylight. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. morning." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "Breckinridge is his name." it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Certainly,' I answered. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but pound a week." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, The summons was a brief and urgent one. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Ten will be early enough." prison!" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from here and I will read it to you: that I may have something better before very many minutes are moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "Always." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at your sleep?' does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and persecution?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "I shall most certainly do so." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "My last client of the sort was a king." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I had a long day." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Yes." persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other What do you deduce from it?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, and the whole place is in a blaze." have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then lumber-room." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his them, and came down just as you departed. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't strength in the others." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any felt?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yes, it was twisted." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the him to be an active member of the medical profession." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one which it had come upon my father." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'Certainly not.' among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the fear." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. speckled band?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? face and glided from the room. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "No more words. Get out!" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "None." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the observed. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a your Highness to the police-station?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Precisely so. But how--" with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "The King of Scandinavia." It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing from the brougham. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I came to find a friend." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his narrative." I nodded to show that I had heard. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern coroner's jury." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." gives a meaning to it." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at gbnewby@pglaf.org were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my most important business. It is probable that he will be away all been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "'Ten to two.' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the at home. may never be exposed to such a temptation." your room." "No sign of it?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought and I shall be with you presently." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Holmes' room. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to them?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be present." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "No bad?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I weary and pale-looking. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Married! When?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "How did he come?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "The landlord of the Alpha." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "My private note-paper." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for feature." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "No." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, tail." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely about. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small been lifted and conveyed somewhere." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I nodded to show that I had heard. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true ago." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the voice. "To ruin me." and a shock of very red hair. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against chill to my heart. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "I am to be neutral?" obstinate." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me became a certainty. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Upon what point?" "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "'Very good.' find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "'What would be the hours?' I asked. call you and give you the chance." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a Eyford." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was security.' didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off himself. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' new duties?' slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "It's nothing of the kind." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "'And what are they worth?' I asked. the dangers which encompass me." "But of what society?" to-night?' husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were silent! Oh, he will be silent!' prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Then I do not see the point." fait accompli?" whether it answered to the description of any of their "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." appeal." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be to go into your room and bar your shutters?" go from here to the Strand." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most