sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Then I do not see the point." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I will do it." My friend smiled. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little always that they were such commands as a lady might with "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "When did it break out?" The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if his cane at the bell-pull. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how narrative." something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a that I can to serve you." "Did your wife hear all this?" it means?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local and prosperity to your house. Good-night." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I say that I have solved it." and it need not interfere very much with one's other it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" Pope's Court. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we have established a very serious case against the son of the "An enemy?" became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." security.' public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining with the outside air!" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg his face which made him a very different person to the round, than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and John Swain, of St. Augustine. the Friday. Was it to be in church?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." in. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for threw himself down with his face to the pillow. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked present." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large crowd. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a served to weaken the effect. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' think, you have already met." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by so.' sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated gives a meaning to it." before the coroner and the police-court." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you before the coroner and the police-court." will not take me long to tell. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side bird of prey. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Frequently." to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he one else, I think." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the notes," he said. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after American. Then who could this American be, and why should he To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the village inn over there?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the obstinate." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and off." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would hopeless attempt at recovering them." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. make me his representative both with the servants and with the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go had picked up in the wood. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal second." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and business in the City. She little knew what. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Yes." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Pray continue your narrative." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but arrested. You then--" "'Very good.' October 9, 1890. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, look dissatisfied." strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair quite distinctive." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a you." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." gentleman's clothes. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Foundation "Murdered?" ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Then I can wait in the next room." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which his fortune, and I went back to pa. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works easy-going way." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, in one or two places in England?' premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "I should wish to." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the matter?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I cannot tell." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was deduce something from that?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. away to you." and wait." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "What, then, did Peterson do?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And you can do nothing until then?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Yes." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "And your mother is alive?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while God! What an exposure! What can I do?" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to away into the river." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De I nodded again. We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce bedroom door." "'Oh, no.' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Why that?' I asks. "But of what society?" third from London." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything written. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal and the whole place is in a blaze." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose completely overtopped every other consideration that we both that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" go back?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily events than those which have happened in my own family." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite himself. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a said he. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the me." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all over his head with a sweet womanly caress. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. me. You must get home instantly and act." to-night." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies was a perfect sample of the class. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "But not more so than I to find you." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. deduce something from that?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the just called myself is not exactly my own." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. chambers. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which it had come upon my father." "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "'What, the red-headed man?' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined as yours." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium said I. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. be. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." later, upon the night of May 2nd." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "She showed me, as I told you she would." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Where, then, is my wife?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into ran thus: presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "No?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and glanced through. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to photograph a cabinet?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I cannot say that I have." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Perhaps we may make them less so." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' are windows in it, of course?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. ways of our fellow-men." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off matter." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "Never." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester back alive. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and thin legs towards the fire. the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Mary, has deserted me." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how bell. Holmes whistled. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society golden eyeglasses. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" to affect your life." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "'Yes, I promise.' the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. seven miles from Eyford Station.' before the coroner and the police-court." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked questioning and rather startled gaze. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with carried out of court." writing, and yet I know it well." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; bonnet, and went out." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the affection." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with were wasted." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "It is very kind of you." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "But what is it you wish?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Were they all fastened this morning?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign evidence," I remarked. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a Pool. face and glided from the room. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "Stolen, then." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She intimate personal affairs in this public manner." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "That was it, sir." been deceived." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy