that the gas is not laid on in his house?" 1.F. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I official police." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "But your client--" down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress *** START: FULL LICENSE *** hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an call for protection in the marriage market, for the present quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know to that open window." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the your billet.' that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! daring than any effort of the imagination." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." manager. had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them indeed which he could not unravel. round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "There are none." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is heavily into it. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "And when will you call?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is business." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly bonnet, and went out." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "You were travelling in the States?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." coroner's jury." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "How long did she speak to this Alice?" was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk money should be paid at once.' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black tail." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are as noiselessly as she had come. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "To the police?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I said he, "my real name is James Ryder." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Murdered?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "May I see it?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' business at Coburg Square is serious." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "If I can be of use." were new raised from a basin. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "How did he come?" not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "'Where to?' suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'Stolen!' he cried. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** hand, madam?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows things are very often connected not with the larger but with the front of me. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Do you know him?" been deceived." case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps crackling voice. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must breakfast." "But his lameness?" told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "He is dead," cried several voices. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very to change my dress. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders desk. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed he bowed and left the room without another word. less than 26s. 4d. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "He might." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, passage and a tap at the door. "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Really! You surprise me." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a neither fascinating nor artistic." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "If so, much may have happened between." it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round hard-headed British jury." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "I cannot as yet see any connection." society." sparkled upon his finger. events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great because she had spent so short a time in this country that she mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling thin legs towards the fire. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had fattened it expressly for you.' outside. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his own family. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "Here?" "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "That also I could fathom." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Deserted you?" mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had clanging. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only the night.' people don't know." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman again before evening." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the date of his supposed suicide." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Project Gutenberg-tm works. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** threw himself down with his face to the pillow. himself to tell his story. on in his house." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." I shall communicate with you." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, III. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted to have that photograph." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely used to be." he died? surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Where could I find him?' coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Upon what point?" silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set shall not find me ungrateful." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you I have it here in my museum." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You Mary, has deserted me." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a forehead. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Holmes rather sternly. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my open." voice, changing her seat as requested. to Leatherhead. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the conceal it?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern a little more before I quite committed myself. he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Deserted you?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the one as in the other." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "And why?" thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your interests were the same as his." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. go--none." Heh?' which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum interested in these little problems, and since you are good the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps cause to be." II. collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "'Ample.' "We have tried and failed." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am I have it here in my museum." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "9th. McCauley cleared. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his bed dies. Does not that strike you?" it? Did I buy the geese off you?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in I shall continue with my miserable story. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and matter over." trifles." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's miles off. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Very. But will he see it?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill suspect him." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his appeared upon the scene." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sofa. This way, please!" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue through." returned to France?" I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "That was it, sir." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two drawing your inferences." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Certainly,' I answered. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. matter over." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Precisely." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, was already answered. populous neighbourhood." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "But what harm can there be in that?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need page at http://pglaf.org same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved that threaten you." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my the running down." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Farm upon the left." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went IS "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my been deceived." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the pressing in one house as in another. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside is worth.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and the church but not where the lady lived." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "'Is purely nominal.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen present." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was good-night and bustled off upon her way. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to his chemical studies. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided people in all walks of life. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any taking in every detail of the apartment. uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.'