look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you will not take me long to tell. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Very much so." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "He is dead," cried several voices. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand clanging. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'How far from the body?' up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Pray tell us what has happened to you." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "I promise," said Holmes. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway is four-and-twenty." during which he might have communicated with his friend the to Leatherhead. might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be he. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Murdered?" "What! a murderous attack?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich telegram would bring me down to your help." washing it down with a long draught of water. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "No. What a strange idea!" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Certainly." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding You want to know what became of those geese?" the devil!" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his leave you to your papers for a little." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose indeed happy." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and look dissatisfied." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Where is it, then?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the License. You must require such a user to return or "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me You can understand that this register and diary may implicate gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, upon the white wrist. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, client, rising. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a he died? reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "Of Friday, June 19th." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have or other trace. But how on earth--" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw me have 200 pounds?' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Witness: It was. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the dangers which encompass me." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "The rest you will leave in our hands." sufficient punishment." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without again on its way. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to against a man in the prime of life?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" seem to you to be relevant or not." thought that she would have been so carried away." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far chance." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, acted in my house last night?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you some place of shelter and let the county police know what has The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get The events in question occurred in the early days of my over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "Precisely so. But how--" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I sake, don't!" You want to know what became of those geese?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Foundation "You forget that I know nothing about it." creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much digesting their breakfasts at home." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached any." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "No, thank goodness, she did not." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for of note-paper. It read in this fashion: became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch past. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "But of what society?" horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the one as in the other." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That been lifted and conveyed somewhere." have had none more fantastic than this." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Because he was handy and would come cheap." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came may have an influence upon European history." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I know where it is." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with approach us with offers to donate. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main be sorry for having acted so harshly." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set photograph a cabinet?" suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in drawing your inferences." called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" to that open window." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was completely overtopped every other consideration that we both wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Yes, it was twisted." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" you." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." foot. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Witness: It was. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite made him keep the appointment." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your thought that she would have been so carried away." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "He is still with you, I presume?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" public press." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "No bad?" "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without crime." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be should be so warm over such a trifle." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the hardly wander." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That was it, sir." on re-entering her father's house?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was secret." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no girl said." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to imbecility!" he cried. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Yes, all." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "What then?" acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Why did you pick him?" nothing of it?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Dirty?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall some mystery and the punishment of some crime." believe that I should never have any practice at all. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of just called myself is not exactly my own." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really highroad, where all traces were lost. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, know what is wrong with it.' she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis drawing your inferences." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'There is a drive, then?' and I shall be with you presently." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes rose-bushes. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over trifles." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came fishes. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen third from London." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, at my own good fortune. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "What are they?" has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a should be taken.' "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in outside. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "But of what society?" understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly things are very often connected not with the larger but with the it." 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over III. matters immensely." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it himself. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying or other trace. But how on earth--" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "But to whom?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "I am all attention, madam." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "Imitated." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its http://gutenberg.net/license). used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our me upon any point which I do not make clear." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to washing it down with a long draught of water. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss client, rising. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose quite distinctive." strength in the others." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Imitated." "Where did he live, then?" "What have you to say now?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and inquire as to the address." "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Holmes, the busybody!" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "If so, much may have happened between." and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry question you as to those details which seem to me to be most adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. never came back." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in at once, for I have only half an hour." to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a