"TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late little trying to do so much typewriting?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such down from London to inquire more deeply into it." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he an introduction to him?" secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, papers." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to you?' colonel looking down at me. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he along the entire front of the house, with three long windows have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, intrusion of other matters." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Entirely." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, grasp, he hurried from the room. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was your only hope of safety." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of ventilator." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I never will be, entirely cleared up. matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, experiences." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Then the page we have seen--" another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Oh, yes, easily." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Of what?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But bearing upon the case." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start ran thus: about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most call for it in person on Monday morning.' her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "What office?" "Why serious?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony train from Paddington which would bring you there at about lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." him, that man would not have given me such complete information exactly what you advise." stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All problems help me to do so." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I shoulder. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform father's young wife. will take you up to see the machine.' central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that away in different directions, and I went off to make my own closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "You have carte blanche." that there was nothing in it, after all." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "You saw the ventilator, too?" round with crates and massive boxes. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You'll never persuade me to believe that." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "No?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white are windows in it, of course?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must you." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Chief Executive and Director the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'What, the red-headed man?' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "I never have." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "The gentleman I describe." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And how did he make his money?" back to my heart. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout row." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "It is possible." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "What steps will you take?" I asked. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone always that they were such commands as a lady might with table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But you." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at tassel actually lying upon the pillow. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." whatever might befall. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, second." overpowering excitement and concern. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if crime. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly of receipt of the work. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here confronted him. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Never,' said I. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain call it cruel." secret." to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "It is half-past ten now." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been to me. wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers remarked. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Pray do so." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, conclusions. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of fear." "I cannot think." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the tragedy. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but not fit the lock." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "A call for help, you thought?" that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had III. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was strong reason behind." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that cigar and let me expound." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." recover the gem." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another girl said." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the bottom.' bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and weighed down with some great anxiety. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he was a perfect sample of the class. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to maiden herself was most instructive." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable said I. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! you give your casting vote to?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You have carte blanche." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "Dr. Becher's." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Certainly." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in over with notes and figures. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her quickly through a disagreeable task. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the there is a decided draught." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined call you and give you the chance." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through in his power. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes strength in the others." "Where, indeed?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." better grown goose." "My own seal." horse could go." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, your room." "The best possible." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "And help." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he weighed down with some great anxiety. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to been able to understand it, in a very few words. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her orange pips. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." himself to hunt down. my little problems." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, eat it." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for would then never go into court at all." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since subject to the trademark license, especially commercial didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't with you?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before bonnet, and went out." to his chemical studies. "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "That is possible." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "She will not sell." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms tied." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "'Yes, sir.' it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "So it appears." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Watson," he said cordially. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too envelope. Countess of Morcar's?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "It is solved." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, visitors." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little highroad, where all traces were lost. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "What do you mean?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Well, some hundreds of times." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of place, I think that there is good ground to think that the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the laugh and put his lips to my ear. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general weary and pale-looking. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to how narrow had been my escape. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this said he. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "To an English lawyer named Norton." guilty parties." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "What is it?" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Sutherland?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all than was visible to me." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "The doctor?" "Where is it, then?" Henry Baker is a member." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but there was no need for father to know." "I will get her to show me." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time had no one to advise her at such a crisis." public press." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of depend upon your compliance." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "None." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a stammered. redistribution. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" as noiselessly as she had come. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no