sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," third from London." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that extraordinary contortions. assist you in forming an opinion." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with take the flies, but not before." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite children over to America with him, so that I found myself without third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "What then?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg carpenter." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the general public were present, then?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough over here." knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly impression behind it as though a window had gently closed a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low and a shock of very red hair. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting hands. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the salesman. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "No, but the enclosure is." lectures into a series of tales." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "You are hungry," I remarked. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and I. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has been lifted and conveyed somewhere." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "That sounds a little paradoxical." to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle searched, without anything being found which could incriminate was a perfect sample of the class. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door him, that man would not have given me such complete information may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He to me. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had said he at last. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** recover the gem." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon four million human beings all jostling each other within the had a long day." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible lamp. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "What, then?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "You think so, too?" unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Not social, then?" precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; business matters.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "And the cigar-holder?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Yes, only one." gentleman's clothes. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "And I." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, papers." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "It is a murder, then?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America what do you think they found in the pockets?" remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, been deceived." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the ventilator." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Frequently." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "What are they?" might help us?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "And the murderer?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take three of the beryls in it, was missing. think that he is innocent?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of gives a meaning to it." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to him nearly every evening." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It was an hour's good drive." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal bonnet, and went out." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging I. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. bare slabs of marble. look upon these things in a different way." away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment presented more singular features than that which was associated "Precisely." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Certainly." that threaten you." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose all-comprehensive glances. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "Very. But will he see it?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Stolen." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "And how?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man tension within him. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Surrey." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the nursery. "Where is it, then?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than written, and locked the door of the office after me. "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'What do you call purely nominal?' before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "'Certainly not.' upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "It is no ordinary one." "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, was used.' very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my depend upon my doing so.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be to take care of herself." discontent upon his features. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me was used.' finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner paper in the air. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "And it is--" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Here?" thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would shag which I had seen upon the previous night. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a question. "Stolen." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "How about poison?" forebodings. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I London for the present?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "Of Friday, June 19th." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, morning." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "That is it on the dressing-table." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "He is dead," cried several voices. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It is solved." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to papers on the sundial.'" the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite quick march!" window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other views." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just papers." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of hardly wander." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE me. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as waste of energy." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all been shamefully used." about. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort in the dead of the night?' "What?" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. him to go away.' out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Your sister is dead, then?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through bedroom door." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored hour?' must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" chance." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Did your wife hear all this?" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret attention." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." is," said he presently: had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last Watson," he said cordially. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Nothing?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "No sign of it?" over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear dear old homesteads?" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Sutherland?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "How can you tell that?" "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "About a month then." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be strength." attention." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Certainly." enter into my head. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. indeed happy." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the