ready to-morrow?' coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. minor matters until to-morrow." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "'About the same.' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to some other building. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "That's no good." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect nonsense.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "You saw the ventilator, too?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to that?' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without thin, with a long, sharp nose?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. you." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin carriage. It was a chestnut." visitors." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of never to learn it at all." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide and it need not interfere very much with one's other My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and wait." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I shall continue with my miserable story. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. at once, for I have only half an hour." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A heavy and sharp instrument." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties it." with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "And who is her maid?" ourselves in the office." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and thin legs towards the fire. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "It came here." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided possible that we could bring him back to her? overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to held up the lantern and gazed about him. Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most knowledge of the world." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." gone. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, be sorry for having acted so harshly." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." particular state visit http://pglaf.org self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. future lives." hair?' daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his forbidden door. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. national property. I was determined that the law should have its surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I digesting their breakfasts at home." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, ran thus: including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, you in yours." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." chemical work which was so dear to him. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, standing smiling on the door-step. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the coronet in his hands?" "The landlord of the Alpha." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" at my remark. "An enemy?" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he someone who had been in Australia." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no your billet.' "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was I shall continue with my miserable story. sound at heart." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. better in every way that they should make their position a little respectable self." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the salesman. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and light and attacked it." stood on the top of it. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She situation." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You think so, too?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "How do you know, then?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Well, but China?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social come either from the window or the door. My attention was Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Then I can wait in the next room." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the status with the IRS. relief. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he little trying to do so much typewriting?" anything to do with the matter?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "'How far from the body?' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel 1.E.9. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "To an end?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that imbecility!" he cried. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "And did you observe any change in her then?" giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. once more to my work. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son presented more singular features than that which was associated respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he pity, because in other respects you would really have done very ourselves in the office." "'How far from the body?' wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some lost his Christmas dinner." recover the gem." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which up this clue while it is still hot." "What! a murderous attack?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and was keenly on my guard against him. how narrow had been my escape. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Well, but China?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Yesterday." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that made his money." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself the south-west, I see." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. coat-tails." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the a good hundred miles off by now." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his geese which you supplied to the Alpha." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "Has he come with you to-night?" guilty parties." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Then you may be so with me." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Will you go?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" should be so warm over such a trifle." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "You did not overhear what they said?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped is entirely a question of barometric pressure." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Arthur Conan Doyle My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Ten will be early enough." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be companion. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We he bowed and left the room without another word. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "What! You do not mean bodies?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the more solid." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Not I." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Not social, then?" yourselves in at night?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "Stoke Moran?" said he. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton wedding?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." to affect your life." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "What is it, then--a fire?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he carried out of court." conduct the inquiry." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the you understand?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" likely to be some crony of the landlady's." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might true." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had everything which you would wish to know." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. writer." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "What is it, then--a fire?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "At the wedding breakfast." may have an influence upon European history." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon least a fellow-countryman. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Yes." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "No, I had a dozen." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "And how did he make his money?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "The rest you will leave in our hands." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Was he the only applicant?" knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Game for a morning drive?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "In what way?" asked Holmes. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See main points of my analysis." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. is now desirous of getting those letters back." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for to have been novel and of interest." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "But I am all in the dark." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the dangers which encompass me." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' be. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Not particularly." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about Where does the thing come from?' "Her father is very rich?" so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid