process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Does that suggest anything?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Heh?' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "But you have hopes?" expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' habit of advancing money.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important gbnewby@pglaf.org make me his representative both with the servants and with the knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Precisely." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "You have compromised yourself seriously." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from not use it unless it is absolutely needed." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "One horse?" interjected Holmes. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, it right.' "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, shall not find me ungrateful." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no have been better. It is all right." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of bonnet, and went out." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give opened the door, and slipped through. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "You forget that I know nothing about it." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "'Is 4 pounds a week.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "What shall I do?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that before taking the final step I should like to submit the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town my special province." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I be there in time for your coming." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its we went to search for him, face downward in a little a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Yes, only one." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. burst out into a roar of laughter. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Have you good authority for what you say?" outside. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Pray let us have it, for all that." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been row." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual little adventures." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have gone. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of papers." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out you do it in twenty minutes!' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with will not take me long to tell. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the there in twenty minutes." just called myself is not exactly my own." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster visitors." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and the colonel ushered me in. and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at learned something! Where are the gems?" "And I." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose future lives." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a digesting their breakfasts at home." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "'Entirely.' "But it has twice been burgled." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." gives a meaning to it." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the even so self-evident a thing as that." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining that you saw all that I did." This is what he says: Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge emerged. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the quickly through a disagreeable task. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I possible that we could bring him back to her? see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace who was a member of your goose club." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" arrested. You then--" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your bill, which interests me deeply." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And I." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the driver. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town spare." answered with a sidelong glance. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Frequently." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I his grey eyes. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture hour." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was characteristics, but those are the more obvious." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I if I call to-morrow?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. existence." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, 1.F. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you father's young wife. "No, I am descending." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." opened the door, and slipped through. paper in the air. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious heavily into it. you?' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow go back?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Holmes' face clouded over. "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "What are they?" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Then, as to money?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and laid it on the table. call you and give you the chance." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to problems help me to do so." "10th. John Swain cleared. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we use an arc-and-compass breastpin." coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "If so, much may have happened between." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "And the cigar-holder?" she has been waylaid. There has been no result." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your light and attacked it." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you any little problem which you may submit to me." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you seem to you to be relevant or not." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the putting in the horse. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "'It is locked up,' I answered. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring of the efforts of the United States government and of the better overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to help us in this matter." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "But she will refuse." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my six. Come in!" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "Which are?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "You know me, then?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband one's self under obligations.' bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. bare slabs of marble. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I lamp in his hand. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would that you wished to speak to me?' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Get out!" said he. usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just be. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were gone. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "On your arm?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, everything which you would wish to know." Holmes' face clouded over. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with must compliment you." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from forecastle of an emigrant ship. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious mystery may be cleared along those lines." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "I cannot say that I have." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery was once confined in the cab my mission was practically would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders his grey eyes. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal fear." "Whose house is it?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "My Mary? Impossible!" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. several quiet little villages up there." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send gone. "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Yes." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous lost nothing by them." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "You forget that I know nothing about it." house for five minutes.' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Yes." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to Clair, of Lee." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "And why in hopes?" facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Well." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." is now desirous of getting those letters back." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a get the tickets." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom which should have the effect of calling the attention of the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "Never to return." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'Ample.' Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door dates and names. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. were new raised from a basin. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, excitement. the dangers which encompass me." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'Certainly not. But why?' cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man their singular warning or token before them when starting upon that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his village inn over there?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a it means?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "I should like to see him very much." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain presume?" "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Miss Holder?" "'Yes, it was gone.' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser bonnet, and went out." ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. congratulate you again." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The obstinate." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle nonsense.' photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed laugh and put his lips to my ear. "We were both in the photograph." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if been shamefully used." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but,