was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off I held the little printed slip to the light. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you putting in the horse. was it brought him the coronet? stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was most interesting one." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time hand, madam?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight chambers. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then that threaten you." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. I shall communicate with you." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." trifles." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend mystery may be cleared along those lines." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "And you thought he was pulled back?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. that he will be back before evening." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of there has been an enclosure here!" For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, seen the man in the road." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. seven miles from Eyford Station.' "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret to affect your life." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." was keenly on my guard against him. "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "You were travelling in the States?" felt?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite drawing your inferences." "VIOLET HUNTER." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Always." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "If I can be of use." done what I asked you, Jones?" "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Serpentine Avenue. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right anything to a woman, for she would have her way." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "On your arm?" papers." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "The King of Scandinavia." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Only as much as we can deduce." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, and your relations to her." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a purpose of examination. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed here and I will read it to you: investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. John Swain, of St. Augustine. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and your only hope of safety." have got?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have these bleak autumnal evenings." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in will not take me long to tell. then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." politicians who had been sent down from the North. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." mystery!" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me past. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and said I. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "That is possible." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now look dissatisfied." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "But you were on a friendly footing?" even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously tightly behind him. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how business." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "But to whom?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Which are?" conclusions. "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said will not take me long to tell. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after any more." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the at my own good fortune. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "What steps will you take?" I asked. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the seem to you to be relevant or not." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he that there was nothing in it, after all." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these looking up at the numbers of the houses." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of interests were the same as his." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Yes, sir." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and tail." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again like that before?" side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted voice. done what I asked you, Jones?" "Very much so." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "It is a murder, then?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, of this gang." "Why serious?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never on in his house." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "No. His orders were to stay in the house." when your master had gone out." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'I have already given you my word.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Certainly." the bottom.' "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but shoulder. I held the little printed slip to the light. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly words came to my lips. little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal despair." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'And what are they worth?' I asked. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Where did you address your letters, then?" appeal." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have locked. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the delirious. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom yourselves in at night?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of it." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, case before our client came into the room." I nodded to show that I had heard. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and prosperity to your house. Good-night." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "No more words. Get out!" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be for the market.' 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'Never.' breakfast." "When did it break out?" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed becomes even more simple." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This entirely devoid of interest." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get Surrey." weary and pale-looking. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is case before our client came into the room." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Mary, has deserted me." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat voice. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to him." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had next day. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are is acting for the best. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' too. "I cannot tell." house for five minutes.' "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall chambers. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, you?' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his with the outside air!" "'Yes, it was gone.' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. she to prove their authenticity?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and upon the shelf for the interim." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "So it appears." can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied see a sister of mine apply for." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more note?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Yes, at the mines." into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue call you and give you the chance." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "'Most admirably.' "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently criminal. We have already had experience of such." must be when I saw the door open.' "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "On the contrary, this is the right side." "Where did you address your letters, then?" side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Perhaps we may make them less so." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "It missed him, then?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and During two years I have had three consultations and one small ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window this unhappy family?" his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had comes from the middle window." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very friend's singular character. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with the dangers which encompass me." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' sparkled upon his finger. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. enter into my head. will not take me long to tell. "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police one which it was hard to resist. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me gbnewby@pglaf.org "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "That is unusual in a young girl."