Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to relief. "'Certainly not. But why?' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I don't say that. Perhaps." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to Does that suggest anything?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'How far from the body?' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. empty. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was himself in a perplexing position. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Was he the only applicant?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood said I. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "What is it, then--a fire?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "And now?" He raised his hand. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a other lovers by making love himself." "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Whose house is it?" finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No his eyes and forehead. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered to tell." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, has little to do with my story." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in his face. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Did he not advertise?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, his wife has ceased to love him." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of dramatic, in fact." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be It was close upon four before the door opened, and a got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" yet." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the forecastle of an emigrant ship. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when vague figure huddled up in the darkness. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but peculiar to him. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late other lovers by making love himself." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the how narrow had been my escape. the driver. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell to-night?" I asked. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the bedroom door." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks way in." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, see a sister of mine apply for." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "And it is--" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Heh?' "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. together. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I pity, because in other respects you would really have done very down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Why did you beat the pavement?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is key of the affair now." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Eh? What was that?" Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the something of him before." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "10th. John Swain cleared. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client laugh and put his lips to my ear. "I never have." slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any these bleak autumnal evenings." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his flock.' here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Then the page we have seen--" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" mysterious business." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, take the flies, but not before." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I joking. skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "And you thought he was pulled back?" because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to as this. Pray let me have the details." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which disappearance of these gems?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "And leave your case unfinished?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a directors, with the result that you have seen." "How did he come?" very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece formed some opinion?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "None." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Married! When?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I round with crates and massive boxes. business in the City. She little knew what. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Again Holmes raved in the air. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a despaired of." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "In the cells." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap been deceived." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and undoubtedly my uncle's." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly approach us with offers to donate. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "In the cells." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as waste of energy." "But what will you do?" expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found straighten it?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the not within a twentieth part of the market price." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "And for present expenses?" "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Did you become engaged then?" "Get out!" said he. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "'About the same.' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I fear not." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing tear off another piece?' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was her also." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers Project Gutenberg-tm works. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is new acquaintance to Baker Street. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Here?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" the window, rose as we entered. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, appeared upon the scene." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "That's no good." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from think you a quite exceptional woman." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Where did he live, then?" my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "And for present expenses?" "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Certainly." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his fishes. was once confined in the cab my mission was practically course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and to have that photograph." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" mystery!" "It came here." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty swore that no one else had been in the front room during the all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face about. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "I don't say that. Perhaps." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "I think that it is very probable." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate and capable of preserving a secret.' "You were travelling in the States?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Never." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "And why?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and advice." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then long narrative. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "The doctor?" has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "I am to be neutral?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "And what did you see?" for and were ordered to this address. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the bottom.' but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be way in everything. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I future lives." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left recover the gem." "But it has twice been burgled." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your prison!" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "A client, then?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. of Fenchurch Street." firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he feature." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "Ample." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this past. was a lad." foresight and the moral retrogression?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us some mystery and the punishment of some crime." Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "'Where could I find him?' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw three fields round his house, and there he would take his done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what affection." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and the church but not where the lady lived." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one,