galvanised. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "No, thank goodness, she did not." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. in him." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair 1.F. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it vanished into the darkness. other means.' the Red-headed League." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by compunction about shooting them down." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over official police." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the particular state visit http://pglaf.org he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "It surprised me." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "No, thank goodness, she did not." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They must compliment you." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Sholtos." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: I nodded to show that I had heard. have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the shadow pass over his face as I spoke. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the them?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the dear old homesteads?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "And what did you see?" always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out has little to do with my story." Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search of it with the greatest attention. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Did your wife hear all this?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "My Mary? Impossible!" saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall both be extremely obliged.' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'What then?' I asked. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "My dear Holmes!" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. be sorry for having acted so harshly." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and weary and pale-looking. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Yes." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, What do you deduce from it?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "What, then?" end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might fear." charge against him will break down." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "It is solved." "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Here?" "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Holmes." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Perfectly so." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and depend upon your compliance." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I http://gutenberg.net/license). classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again me. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has placed his cuttings. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "I am following you closely," I answered. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of writer." "Yes." leave you to your papers for a little." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and lamp in his hand. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "And for present expenses?" I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "It looks newer than the other things?" rat could hardly pass through." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of gone. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "And how have you succeeded?" the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 about. It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "That is it on the dressing-table." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "She showed me, as I told you she would." the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly get her out of the way." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "Indeed! Whose, then?" looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of key turn in the lock." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke any little problem which you may submit to me." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Could he throw no light?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday passage and a tap at the door. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" gives a meaning to it." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Why did you beat the pavement?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was behind me. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "A confidential servant?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to amused." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Always." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" are, and they are waiting for us." learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the you, my dear young lady?' the very morning of the wedding." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was quite distinctive." "Where, then?" I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our the station." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." him, that man would not have given me such complete information the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little would apply.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are have established a very serious case against the son of the "It is possible." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The what I may call a really hard day's work." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some exactly what you advise." permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the date of his supposed suicide." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "And I to find an enemy." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he obstinate." families. Now for the facts. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Where, then, is my wife?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "So it appears." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Cross for the Continent." scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "10th. John Swain cleared. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for searched, without anything being found which could incriminate England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "You have a clue?" interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we at my own good fortune. While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for name is different." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would to change my dress. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "You forget that I know nothing about it." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "What, then, did Peterson do?" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark power." as he remarks, very much against the son." "My dear Holmes!" "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer anything to do with the matter?" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle appointment with me for six o'clock?" were wasted." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or he bowed and left the room without another word. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the of it with the greatest attention. time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have matter." "'Oh, no.' "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding article?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about this unhappy family?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful touch that coronet?' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been helping a boy to put up the shutters. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Did he not advertise?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus three of the beryls in it, was missing. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. seen the man in the road." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "He might." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Watson," he said cordially. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage