maid will bring up your coffee." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Clair, of Lee." "And now?" He raised his hand. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Nearly eleven." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. into the bag, and made for the door. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Yes." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm maid will bring up your coffee." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly paper in the air. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking good for you to do.' Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the coronet in his hand?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you putting in the horse. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be writer." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and way: possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the door?" think, you have already met." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Yes." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "We must have a cab." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and laid it on the table. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Ha! you find it so?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in chambers. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and society." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could was a loud and authoritative tap. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yes." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, that you saw all that I did." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want daring than any effort of the imagination." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I promise," said Holmes. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'There is a drive, then?' having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" she used." I. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "On the contrary, this is the right side." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each bled considerably." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "By no means." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," hands. "Has he come with you to-night?" you." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate affair. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "But how?" felt the room to be a little close.' "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "'About the same.' passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "The King of Scandinavia." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "By no means." the date of his supposed suicide." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the head. So long, then!" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Nothing." shaken than I had ever seen him. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light Dr. Gregory B. Newby to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Married! When?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "'And what salary do you ask?' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Imitated." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Certainly." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which questioning and rather startled gaze. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "Then you may entirely rely on me." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry had formerly been in part my own. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "He might." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" But Holmes shook his head gravely. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving of the way of danger. has little to do with my story." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Again Holmes raved in the air. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to DAMAGE. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless attention." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "It is half-past ten now." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that him nearly every evening." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yes, that is the Crown." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the bed, and you in that chair." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that them?" tapping his fingers upon the table. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "My last client of the sort was a king." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and questionable one." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, second." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Do you receive much company?" he asked. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "And Miss Sutherland?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "How did that help you?" your only hope of safety." letters?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The interested in these little problems, and since you are good reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "Then I can wait in the next room." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, way: they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "No, my brougham is waiting." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the drove away. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "That is not always so easy." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "There are none." keep the flames under. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out him to be an active member of the medical profession." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "It may not come to that," said Holmes. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great tear off another piece?' "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "'I am sure if I had known--' asked. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' purpose of examination. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "No, thank goodness, she did not." "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg fuss that is made over them." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger said he, "my real name is James Ryder." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Stolen!' he cried. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "In heaven's name, what for?" happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting allusion to a rat. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. copied or distributed: better grown goose." think that he is innocent?" and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great forebodings. for and were ordered to this address. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "But we can't all be." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation it were putty." and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. tied." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the coronet in his hands?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall new duties?' serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he question," said Holmes, smiling. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so formed some opinion?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our him. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy to Leatherhead. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Well?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Because he was handy and would come cheap." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." our word." before, for it was considerably after midnight. hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. think you a quite exceptional woman." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the digesting their breakfasts at home." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Pray do so." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "A greater distance to travel." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would over part of the map. "What do you read?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, is entirely a question of barometric pressure." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of woman." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Pray do so." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client there were one or two details which were new to me. But the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent where we are going." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "But you can know nothing of this?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "ARAT," I read. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "None. Neville wrote those words." morning." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "Pray continue your narrative." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee putting in the horse. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." this Miss Turner." as he remarks, very much against the son." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "Married! When?" woven round him. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a room. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "At the wedding breakfast." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which the evening of the tragedy that had occurred.