the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary hands. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his and the whole place is in a blaze." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Pray do so." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "What can it mean?" I gasped. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Yes, at the mines." system of imprisonment?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his forehead." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can some mystery and the punishment of some crime." question," said Holmes, smiling. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the assist you in forming an opinion." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no meant." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My Mary? Impossible!" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had useful material for showing traces. The double line a little photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a sufficient punishment." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was respectable self." way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" http://www.gutenberg.net Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" down. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "He is dead," cried several voices. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. some terrible trap for her." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "No, I had a dozen." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might his cane at the bell-pull. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. License. You must require such a user to return or of your young ladies.' were wasted." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'I am sure if I had known--' might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another of campaign. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "And your mother is alive?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from lost nothing by them." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your morning." guilty parties." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said "I cannot tell." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'Never.' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at a room. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I fear not." he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper opportunities to fix the problem. "I don't believe it." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I breakfast." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted where Mr. Fordham shows you.' orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "Of what day?" business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "He said that you could solve anything." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were felt?" things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my generous with you in money matters.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, neither fascinating nor artistic." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely house for five minutes.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason better grown goose." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something point our research must commence, and we will begin it by photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler stepfather?" "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Edgeware Road. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he was shining brightly. wedding?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." second." "That is easily got." voice. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "I have seen the police." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you bedroom door." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Have you her photograph?" forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray for its centre. I nodded to show that I had heard. you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes, certainly." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "In answer to an advertisement." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "'And what are they worth?' I asked. assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first sit on the left-hand side of the driver." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the cheerful." wanted for ourselves." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained the coronet in his hand?" the coronet at all injured?" abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This subject to the trademark license, especially commercial entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in side. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "May I see it?" "Where did he live, then?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, companion quietly. the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "My dear Holmes!" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. was it brought him the coronet? "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is over here." me." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open point our research must commence, and we will begin it by possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my them present such singular features as the strange train of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "You were travelling in the States?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Where, indeed?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Is he quiet?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them in your London, you will know that the office of the company is be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "'I shall certainly be there.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at get the tickets." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two in him." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project than was visible to me." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said absorbing." "Where, then?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if pictures, libraries, or plate. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose bonnet, and went out." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' cheerful." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were before, for it was considerably after midnight. time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his became a certainty. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which my room." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." foot. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Eyford." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the fear." is," said he presently: man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know pound a week." however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "No sign of it?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Upon what point?" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not indeed which he could not unravel. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Foundation For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "'Which dealer's?' "It's nothing of the kind." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the one as in the other." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much allusion to a rat. "9th. McCauley cleared. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "What then?" upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the man. I know him from the photograph." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, enter Dr. Roylott's room." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Why did you beat the pavement?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "But to whom?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the matter." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Very well, sir. And this stone?" will be renamed. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Nothing?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "The murder was done with it." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to without a word or a look. quick march!" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I foresight and the moral retrogression?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for October 9, 1890. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here records." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for out of this horrible affair." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you easy-going way." "What! Had he lost his wife?" 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own suggested at once that there must be a communication between the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be unclasping of his long thin hands. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet noting anything else of interest. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I pierced for earrings?" Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at things are very often connected not with the larger but with the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the His name is Francis Prosper." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then strength of mind to control. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that will be renamed. to a light-house. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very congenial hunt. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Well, some hundreds of times." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with once more on the important position which you have been fortunate careless servant girl?" one of them." a suggestive one." light and attacked it." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he to-night's adventure." know that the truth is known." was shining brightly. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your know all about it," he snarled. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was your Highness to the police-station?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, it. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and the colonel ushered me in. confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. man. I know him from the photograph." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "No, but the enclosure is." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it