north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge as this. Pray let me have the details." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but the stable lane now." awkward doing business with an alias." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were persecution?" "But what will you do?" most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She absorbing." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my one's self under obligations.' becomes even more simple." closely." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting only touch the interest." conclusions. "My private note-paper." young Openshaw's." to me. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal and no precautions can guard against." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Where could I find him?' over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an very peculiar words of the dying woman?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sufficient punishment." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "'Ten to two.' whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." or in danger--" pressing in one house as in another. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their there." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive the tragedy. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager your own bird, so if you wish--" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "No. His orders were to stay in the house." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Yes, they were peculiar boots." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, could not have written that. It is the German who is so walking." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'And what salary do you ask?' upon the shelf for the interim." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Certainly,' I answered. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both guilty one." shall not find me ungrateful." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old was a lad." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such future lives." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora my little problems." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed enter Dr. Roylott's room." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Of what day?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I think it very unlikely." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Which are?" works. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be fear." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and be.' them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Never." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What your co-operation." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the pictures, libraries, or plate. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over his cane at the bell-pull. "The Coroner: What do you mean? afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was figure." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "I cannot think." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "'About the same.' "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. three of the beryls in it, was missing. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal said he. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can wife's character?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with him. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. quickly through a disagreeable task. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San that I can to serve you." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Mrs. Toller serenely. she used." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "I fear not." "Then I can wait in the next room." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned this unhappy family?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down is four-and-twenty." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then compunction about shooting them down." "'Yes, it was gone.' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come in. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if fuss that is made over them." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It said he. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "By no means." "Never." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the I nodded again. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Here?" call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that too. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Ample." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this for securing the situation." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, here." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged retorted upon me, and I on you." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the down in his armchair and closing his eyes. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it business." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." all that?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" in this way: public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a him to go away.' father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "It is half-past ten now." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "You did not overhear what they said?" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but might help us?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was been able to understand it, in a very few words. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "I cannot tell." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair cigars in the box." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my in one or two places in England?' my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the this unhappy family?" than was visible to me." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "And that is--" "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Countess of Morcar's?" frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "And what then?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' tell me that you intended to go into harness." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Pray do so." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "His face fell immediately. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Not in a good cause." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I have accepted such a situation. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged there has been an enclosure here!" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down he. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you placed his cuttings. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything habit of advancing money.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and was a perfect sample of the class. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Mrs. Toller serenely. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and promised to bring home. although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of the way of danger. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of even of instruction." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go business in the City. She little knew what. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project was a perfect sample of the class. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I of the one which your family is now devouring." "No." "No sign of it?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid think that he is innocent?" learned something! Where are the gems?" indiscretion." four million human beings all jostling each other within the suddenly upon us." approach us with offers to donate. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Nothing." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But how?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "The knees of his trousers." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of felt?" fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." appeared upon the scene." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Witness: It was. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a ways including including checks, online payments and credit card shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" Mrs. Toller serenely. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater pierced for earrings?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" ready to-morrow?' watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a one's self under obligations.' father's place of business?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange least a fellow-countryman. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Certainly." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as I think that I could be of assistance to you." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." me have 200 pounds?' appeal." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the Red-headed League." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." dead, shall be safe with us." it means?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. sound at heart." I nodded to show that I had heard. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when pierced for earrings?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all of the efforts of the United States government and of the better were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "How about poison?" conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am