Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest which it had come upon my father." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Deserted you?" to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a gone before you can get him to hospital." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know What do you deduce from it?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "It surprised me." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Yes, at the mines." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old where we are going." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. goes." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "You have compromised yourself seriously." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg that he will be back before evening." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to bare slabs of marble. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in this remarkable episode. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally round and wave him away like that.' of the efforts of the United States government and of the better very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, for securing the situation." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and capable of preserving a secret.' of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "And who is her maid?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic go back?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Ah!" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "'Yes, sir.' letters?" problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was highroad, where all traces were lost. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the Chief Executive and Director "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "But what harm can there be in that?" this man was intellectual?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "10th. John Swain cleared. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain without a word or a look. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'I shall certainly be there.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, you." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Married! When?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. some water from a caraffe. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "It is his hat." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I am about to be married." "I don't believe it." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case "It is no ordinary one." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "I see many objections to any such theory." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to begin with, and I had not got mine yet." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the you." preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a the tragedy. discontent upon his features. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Dr. Gregory B. Newby dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the bed, and you in that chair." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "The King of Scandinavia." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'I am sure that I do not know.' days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones becomes even more simple." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking place no limit on the sum I may draw." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. entirely devoid of interest." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, questionable one." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few humiliation." quite distinctive." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "This concluded the examination of the witness." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A a good hundred miles off by now." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second crackling voice. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" least a fellow-countryman. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "No, finished." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' man. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little said I. "I never have." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "What steps will you take?" I asked. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'Certainly,' I answered. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate examination of the premises, but without finding anything which hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Well, but China?" "VIOLET HUNTER." during that time.' and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight without a word or a look. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "That is not always so easy." "No?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That o'clock is it?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself locked." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post over part of the map. "What do you read?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. with you alone." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and few hundred pounds.' he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "And what did you learn from him?" the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty conduct the inquiry." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. desk. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was in your London, you will know that the office of the company is order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector hard-headed British jury." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, pressing in one house as in another. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, said Mr. Holder. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a have an American origin." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "But his left-handedness." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what husband's writing, madam." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Won't it ring?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this voice. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Was your sister dressed?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "She told me to ask you." begun to whiten, even as mine has." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dramatic, in fact." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. should be so warm over such a trifle." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get our word." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." had died away into the silence from which it rose. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the it. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Do you go out much in society?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." bachelor.' "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the coronet at all injured?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "'Certainly,' I answered. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "What, then, did Peterson do?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "This photograph!" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, them, and came down just as you departed. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Nearly eleven." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this away into the river." from you?" groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in girl said." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is row." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. highroad, where all traces were lost. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" http://www.gutenberg.net it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "What, then?" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their following enigmatical notices: "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises of the vacancies.' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in believe that I should never have any practice at all. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the happened." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed little trying to do so much typewriting?" with some details as to your case." husband's writing, madam." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they manager. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that strength." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. bears upon the case?" nothing of it?" the general public were present, then?" and your relations to her." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson bird of prey. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When definite end. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "And on what day did he meet his death?" certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the unprofitable." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then married her." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent have accepted such a situation. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Yes, only one." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the