round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four before the coroner and the police-court." believe that I should never have any practice at all. in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "It is a murder, then?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her horse could go." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "Yes, I have one waiting." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. mystery may be cleared along those lines." this man was intellectual?" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this sound at heart." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to his face which made him a very different person to the round, rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to affect your life." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly face and glided from the room. still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." companion imperturbably. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the manager. once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life 1.E.9. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "In what way?" asked Holmes. recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. copied or distributed: "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the his fortune, and I went back to pa. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy once more. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something hurried away. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "But of what society?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house exactly what you advise." "'I am sure that I do not know.' papers diligently of late, have you not?" estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He business at Coburg Square is serious." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "She will not sell." him!" Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our might have a private word with us. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to three of the beryls in it, was missing. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in ran thus: "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so conduct the inquiry." been able to understand it, in a very few words. unprofitable." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "I think that I had better go, Holmes." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the dangers which encompass me." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch late!' forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit father's place of business?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's until night should bring an explanation. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that your Highness to the police-station?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Is purely nominal.' near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and overpowering excitement and concern. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "You have but to name it." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" during that time.' impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from sparkled upon his finger. breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." awaited us upon the table. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Imitated." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "And I to find an enemy." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "In which, sir?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'I have already given you my word.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hour." and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of row." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "This photograph!" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. on re-entering her father's house?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "My Mary? Impossible!" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and third from London." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, that I can to serve you." of campaign. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to until night should bring an explanation. midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak sit on the left-hand side of the driver." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Was your sister dressed?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "ARAT," I read. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Certainly." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "A call for help, you thought?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Yes." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may think, you have already met." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Was your sister dressed?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Certainly." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we unclasping of his long thin hands. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I say it is." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife despaired of." "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue Street. was feeling which was the fattest.' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Really! You surprise me." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the opportunities to fix the problem. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Count Von Kramm." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses beg that you will break it off." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking gentleman's clothes. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to you." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "I think it very unlikely." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building because she had spent so short a time in this country that she double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to-night's adventure." to have been novel and of interest." "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and province." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "She will not sell." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for American. Then who could this American be, and why should he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and gives a meaning to it." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat any little problem which you may submit to me." 'please.'" "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from more terrible than the truth. the warnings." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "My Mary? Impossible!" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a triumphant cloud from his cigarette. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that me where it went to?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "And what did you learn from him?" before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' away into the river." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Perhaps I have." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of approach us with offers to donate. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the client, rising. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "Not him." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently intrusion of other matters." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not his wife has ceased to love him." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly in. "Could he throw no light?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'You cannot say what it was?' washing it down with a long draught of water. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return shall use the carriage to-night." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. strength in the others." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away in him." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "By no means." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring in the port of London." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the investigation." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the despaired of." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another him to go away.' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, window when the police appeared." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. then?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." murdered man." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" been with you?" and no precautions can guard against." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival outbreak?" "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and soul! here is her carriage at the door." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Well?" we went to search for him, face downward in a little woman who has had her own way to make in the world. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "That was it, sir." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled allusion to a rat. said I. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at one of the states of the Union." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "A call for help, you thought?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that the date of his supposed suicide." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." which was all perfectly true. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Then you may be so with me." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy