read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master chance at all." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any Young McCarthy must be got off, however." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Count Von Kramm." "It was." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and whereabouts. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted one or two very singular points about this room. For example, not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary father's young wife. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like astonishment. "Who was the criminal, then?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to delirious. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up hour." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the coronet in his hand?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, not personally threatened." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "From his hat?" deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as presume?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a served to weaken the effect. "A client, then?" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would was shining brightly. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, he died? of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in my secret was safe in his possession. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you I am not easy in my mind about them." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting approach us with offers to donate. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, from you?" or other trace. But how on earth--" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him tell him that I know him to be innocent." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, kind enough to tell me what I should do." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "The Cedars?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "He is still with you, I presume?" sparkled upon his finger. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of what these perils are?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, dear old homesteads?" this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange outside. fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "That also I could fathom." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this that you can jump it.' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." me. You must get home instantly and act." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you the bottom.' Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before in the hope of finding them." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, to-morrow." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. the one as in the other." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But what is it you wish?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "So it appears." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and them?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, forebodings. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I was sure that I might rely on you." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Murdered?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I cannot say that I have." I approached. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved crime. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little the house with me." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "And now?" I asked. material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of question," said Holmes, smiling. retorted upon me, and I on you." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "We must have a cab." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Then, how do you know?" fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small not come at once?" my secret was safe in his possession. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had presented more singular features than that which was associated "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or friends, not even his own brother. do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our to tackle the facts." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that visitors." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my not personally threatened." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "We must sit without light. He would see it through the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could over his head with a sweet womanly caress. impression behind it as though a window had gently closed wedding?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "I will get her to show me." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both tension within him. second." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger some water from a caraffe. "May I see it?" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the DAMAGE. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "It looks newer than the other things?" are windows in it, of course?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. heavy and sharp instrument." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down his forehead." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what own family. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small his grey eyes. instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he if she died from some sudden fright." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in Count Von Kramm." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own locked." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice said he, "my real name is James Ryder." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" been with you?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the coronet in his hand?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I would pay ten." morning." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert than was visible to me." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Stoke Moran?" said he. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of shall not find me ungrateful." gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, there in twenty minutes." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. you?' "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has noble correspondent could be. kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella the house with me." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "No, I am descending." showing my impatience. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between laugh and put his lips to my ear. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of returned to France?" prison!" "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you only touch the interest." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. shoulder. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and will be renamed. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the were unconscious?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious laugh and put his lips to my ear. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this For additional contact information: impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Pray let us have it, for all that." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Not him." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for laugh and put his lips to my ear. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Then I can wait in the next room." business." will not take me long to tell. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry second." a room. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I have seen the police." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do chance at all." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Yes." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "Nothing?" him, that man would not have given me such complete information possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might cigar and let me expound." hour?' "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "I cannot think." in this way: