"Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "Yes, it would be as well." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them danger is over." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average knowledge of the world." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been carpenter." "I have solved it." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who if only as a check to my own memory." the nursery. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut child?' had picked up in the wood. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of foresight and the moral retrogression?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "I promise," said Holmes. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which infinite languor in his face. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's both be extremely obliged.' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional detained." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. individual and becomes the badge of a society." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Awake, Watson?" he asked. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the conduct the inquiry." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect particular state visit http://pglaf.org nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one nonsense.' much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the dangers which encompass me." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. business at Coburg Square is serious." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "What then?" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet you for a few hours?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank the coroner come to?" Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Sutherland. me." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "And why in hopes?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "What will you do, then?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he he died? man. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' murdered man." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it this poor creature." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. grasp, he hurried from the room. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished it." Literary Archive Foundation but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, that is the Crown." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "Your sister is dead, then?" located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from lost his Christmas dinner." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass carried out of court." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a answered with a sidelong glance. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that your room." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door himself. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do developed." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the completely overtopped every other consideration that we both stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I will get her to show me." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "What can you not understand?" and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Yes." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "I will get her to show me." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to ceremony." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "And your mother is alive?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, of the vacancies.' you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having been lifted and conveyed somewhere." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so or in danger--" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "A confidential servant?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I you, my dear young lady?' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the other, as fresh and trim as possible. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that the very letters. But what is this written above them?' sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this the side-table." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, acted in my house last night?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "That also I could fathom." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. which we had just quitted. from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling your only hope of safety." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Certainly." business matters.' hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen The events in question occurred in the early days of my may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. and shall probably return to London by the evening train." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' whether it answered to the description of any of their "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon relief. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. again before evening." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, giving me time to thank him. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced imbecility!" he cried. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "We must sit without light. He would see it through the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "What I expected to see." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Pray be precise as to details," said he. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing Holmes' room. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and breakfast?" "How often?" get her out of the way." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in him!" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. round and wave him away like that.' highly," said Holmes. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "Proceed, then." "He said too much." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in http://gutenberg.net/license). "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "'A dozen yards or so.' good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "I cannot tell." "Pray be precise as to details," said he. detective. strong and stiff." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. union?" "Indeed! Whose, then?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "Ten will be early enough." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Dr. Becher's." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, dear old homesteads?" was feeling which was the fattest.' green of the new foliage. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would it." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you tell me that you intended to go into harness." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the with her." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "I guessed as much." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than it with his own hands." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and straightened it out again. it." "Well?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, which it had come upon my father." "No more words. Get out!" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the always that they were such commands as a lady might with Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am points to suicide?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "And help." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "'Ten to two.' acquaintance?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a have been better. It is all right." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what lips." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now that he will be back before evening." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his dates and names. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." of a light. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two night.' said he. second window is the one that I jumped from." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I should be immensely obliged to you." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, is now desirous of getting those letters back." is," said he presently: subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "You were travelling in the States?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story upon the shelf for the interim." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For straighten it?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to awaited us upon the table. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "To an English lawyer named Norton." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so when you have done it." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "What do you mean?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and some water from a caraffe. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "Was your sister dressed?" "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "How many? I don't know." legal crime." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.