"Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "No, finished." matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were your Highness to the police-station?" comes from the middle window." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "'And the work?' front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded cigar and let me expound." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "Where, indeed?" which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "What do you mean?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own gone before you can get him to hospital." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "I should wish to." "But he might be a bachelor." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a there!' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I was mad--insane." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but nothing with him." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "BALLARAT." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So allusion to a rat. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. remarked. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. His smile broadened. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. stepfather?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine him." "'Ten to two.' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a forebodings. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'You cannot say what it was?' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." here and I will read it to you: case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as way: experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming soul! here is her carriage at the door." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It is possible." "Come in!" said he. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a this remarkable episode. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary careless servant girl?" "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Literary Archive Foundation of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It is very clear." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'I am sure that I do not know.' "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding DISSOLVED. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have charge against him will break down." in the port of London." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It certainly sounds feasible." other means.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought neither fascinating nor artistic." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Indeed! Whose, then?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "That's no good." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the public press." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped few hundred pounds.' "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. works. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking ashen face. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'A dozen yards or so.' "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by might help us?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some placed his cuttings. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most pictures, libraries, or plate. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "I see many objections to any such theory." promised to bring home. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'You cannot say what it was?' Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "To ruin me." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Two days later this same performance was gone through under for and were ordered to this address. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client new acquaintance to Baker Street. "9th. McCauley cleared. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position at a side door. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yesterday." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "How do you know, then?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "And I to find an enemy." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look suddenly upon us." "By train from Waterloo." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "One?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his in his power. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I see many objections to any such theory." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place and capable of preserving a secret.' "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." security.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "But not more so than I to find you." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "How about poison?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it points in connection with it which never have been, and probably the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Where, indeed?" present." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "That you are never beaten." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "'What then?' I asked. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Have you it here?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. when your master had gone out." details." See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head married her." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "That is unusual in a young girl." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was himself to tell his story. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon detective. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy only touch the interest." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited telegram would bring me down to your help." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." hurried by. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "And is that all?" directly by questioning you." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the name is different." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "And Irene Adler?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided this unhappy family?" "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil which should have the effect of calling the attention of the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand held up the lantern and gazed about him. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year States. places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the existence." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "And Miss Sutherland?" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, her also." wall." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. be. "It is very kind of you." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their business." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an it? Did I buy the geese off you?" His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Entirely." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this highly," said Holmes. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered your billet.' with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and approach us with offers to donate. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It started for the Temple to see my husband. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE depend upon my doing so.' Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "But who is he?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to bachelor.' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "Nothing." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had call you and give you the chance." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "What!" he roared. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been American. Then who could this American be, and why should he Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been you." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about that you wished to speak to me?' to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the stable lane now." pressing in one house as in another. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Very truly yours, old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven could not have written that. It is the German who is so august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. really the only notable feature about the thing." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of The events in question occurred in the early days of my instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall was already answered. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Come in!" said he. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "What is it, then--a fire?" of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "Then the page we have seen--" the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building business came to an end." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. the morning and make my own way in the world.' but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Not in the least." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." in my life." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "None." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed may never be exposed to such a temptation." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "Entirely." young Openshaw's." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. returning from some small jollification and was making his way that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off that you can jump it.' "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of