directly by questioning you." whatever might befall. front of me. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his danger is over." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no Holmes' face clouded over. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "I cannot tell." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are into the room. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in society." from you?" will not take me long to tell. will be renamed. Holmes' face clouded over. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from of this gang." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Nearly eleven." at home. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "But his lameness?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'Most admirably.' page at http://pglaf.org "Pray continue your narrative." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "'About the same.' scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! to change my dress. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and mystery may be cleared along those lines." "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This kindly on the shoulder. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his as the one I chose?' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "In the cells." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless searched, without anything being found which could incriminate very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the me." future lives." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work with frightened eyes at his accuser. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "That is possible." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "That is possible." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "'Is purely nominal.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward of the efforts of the United States government and of the better would then never go into court at all." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "It is possible." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a against a man in the prime of life?" company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it problems help me to do so." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "That sounds a little paradoxical." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always not, dad?" she asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was other, as fresh and trim as possible. threw himself down with his face to the pillow. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Yes." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me face and glided from the room. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second his cane at the bell-pull. was shining brightly. "No, I think that I'll take it." "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "I was sure that I might rely on you." have got?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The was feeling which was the fattest.' sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I am sure." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "It is a murder, then?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Seven!" I answered. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six even of instruction." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the instituted." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "In the cells." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the written. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards about. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "ARAT," I read. "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "No bad?" recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But to whom?" "It is possible." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her several quiet little villages up there." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining test if we have an answer to our advertisement." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions brain must have something in it." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these God! What an exposure! What can I do?" at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, ventilator." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'And what salary do you ask?' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "The King of Scandinavia." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Leave Paddington by the 11:15." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at window when the police appeared." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "I assure you that I am in your hands." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped redistribution. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "If I can be of use." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was disappearance of these gems?" him!" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Have you it here?" The King stared at him in amazement. I nodded again. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to hair?' preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, fire. You quite follow me?" "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "When did it break out?" developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch memory. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in least a most suspicious remark." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "None." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. trifles." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "'Tell me all about it,' said I. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. second." "Really! You surprise me." and capable of preserving a secret.' quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few chance at all." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "It was an hour's good drive." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. husband's writing, madam." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I she to prove their authenticity?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "It is to him that this trophy belongs." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange nights." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If advice." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Very truly yours, like that before?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes heavy and sharp instrument." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "The Cedars?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "And on what day did he meet his death?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and effective." "I cannot as yet see any connection." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." indiscretion." hands. you want, then?' "Yes, I have one waiting." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and no precautions can guard against." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, night.' said he. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If shag which I had seen upon the previous night. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "The King of Scandinavia." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "At what time?" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. narrative." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. already referred to. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Leadenhall Street--and--" "Yes, the wine-cellar." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, take the flies, but not before." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the one's self under obligations.' pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with strong reason behind." my little problems." Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "You are hungry," I remarked. do." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those see me here to avoid scandal." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a eat it." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the pictures, libraries, or plate. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then giving me time to thank him. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been do.' treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "To an English lawyer named Norton." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause your own bird, so if you wish--" august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the place of silver." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" said I. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have than was visible to me." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called visitors."