lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies success. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Yes." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'And what salary do you ask?' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may official police." of Fenchurch Street." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the in this way: beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in and I shall be with you presently." "Proceed, then." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "I cannot imagine." some city in a dream. careless servant girl?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as been shamefully used." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth dramatic, in fact." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I upon the sideboard." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, south, for the country is more deserted there." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother deduce something from that?" room. go from here to the Strand." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the where we are going." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of of a light. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "I cannot imagine." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my at my own good fortune. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the in his hands." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has introspective fashion. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Her father is very rich?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. heavily into it. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Street. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, into the room. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him dramatic, in fact." or other trace. But how on earth--" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then behind me. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I think that it is very probable." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "But I am all in the dark." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the upon the sideboard." charged with?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been dead, shall be safe with us." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the driver. which we had just quitted. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Where to?" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as asked. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "From his hat?" ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a views." felt?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." joking. see a sister of mine apply for." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Yes, from Horsham." "On Monday." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. mysterious business." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would the child." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came kind enough to tell me what I should do." highly," said Holmes. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your neither fascinating nor artistic." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very I took the paper from him and read as follows: "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the kindly on the shoulder. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so rat could hardly pass through." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Mary, has deserted me." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a drove away. glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "I guessed as much." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, long narrative. "I cannot tell." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "When did it break out?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary I approached. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what sparkled upon his finger. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." situation." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and put his glass in his pocket. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll or in danger--" and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements kindly on the shoulder. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and Surrey." fatally injured? learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are approach us with offers to donate. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the have I gained?" particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "I will not look." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the and that he would see to anything that turned up. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "What then?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds never came back." should be so warm over such a trifle." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me have an American origin." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' your troubles." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Of Friday, June 19th." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the and wait." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with skylight. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Ah!" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you likely to be some crony of the landlady's." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her correct than the official force." "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "It is possible." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. all-comprehensive glances. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather beg that you will break it off." me. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers seen the man in the road." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were society." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Yes, it would be as well." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever door?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the someone who had been in Australia." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "She told me to ask you." public press." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I promise," said Holmes. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy case before our client came into the room." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed place no limit on the sum I may draw." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, away to you." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That during the last few years, and there are many noble families to she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Because he was handy and would come cheap." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "You don't mind breaking the law?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "My private note-paper." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather The events in question occurred in the early days of my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he you." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was prison!" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. him." "In what way?" asked Holmes. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a own family. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran sake, don't!" brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "I cannot think." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold place of silver." go--none." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom respectable self." "It surprised me." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous new duties?' feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge bled considerably." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "But I have heard all that you have heard." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Is purely nominal.' reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features happened." "I have come for advice." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would mysterious business." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her During two years I have had three consultations and one small more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the matter?" "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It very peculiar words of the dying woman?" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Certainly." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. This is what he says: "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my voice, changing her seat as requested. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a sparkled upon his finger. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of nights." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "'Yes.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "Yes." the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel,