address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, unkempt, staring out at me. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Where, indeed?" "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "What?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Sholtos." it." "It is possible." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper should be so warm over such a trifle." "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She down in his armchair and closing his eyes. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to was lame." "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Never,' said I. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not and laid it on the table. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, bell. Holmes whistled. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." fasten all the windows?" of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my questionable one." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the of them has the shutters up.' became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give which was all perfectly true. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "It looks newer than the other things?" pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "You forget that I know nothing about it." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Stoke Moran?" said he. beg that you will break it off." "My last client of the sort was a king." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year he bowed and left the room without another word. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land success. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother not as remarkable as your advertisement." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Never." intrusion of other matters." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now over his head with a sweet womanly caress. have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's shaken than I had ever seen him. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a affection." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the best of training." "I see many objections to any such theory." "On Monday." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several official police." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I passage and a tap at the door. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of sake, don't!" tell them apart.' we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick to miss it." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fishes. "An enemy?" "None." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Holmes. should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more such person." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a with the outside air!" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, troubles have been weighing upon his mind. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the coroner come to?" "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." laugh and put his lips to my ear. 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling congenial hunt. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well may have an influence upon European history." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the inquest, and which are worth considering." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Then the page we have seen--" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down unprecedented a position." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever better grown goose." very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the so-precious time, but come!' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "But what will you do?" husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your an introduction to him?" was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to fasten all the windows?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "What can it mean?" I gasped. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he outsides of the windows. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses been lifted and conveyed somewhere." suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended were unconscious?" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That is it on the dressing-table." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "'Yes, I promise.' skylight. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." chair. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the think that any burglar could have done. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very is," said he presently: my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up His name is Francis Prosper." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the again, where I was soon asleep. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "I have my revolver," said I. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Perhaps we may make them less so." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the have had none more fantastic than this." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom go back?" you." THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Yes." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss copied or distributed: always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has I think that I could be of assistance to you." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I outside." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was round with crates and massive boxes. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Henry Baker is a member." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that threaten you." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we to arrive at through this?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." there in twenty minutes." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Have you her photograph?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Yes." it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his about. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "No more words. Get out!" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Literary Archive Foundation of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "I will get her to show me." Mary, has deserted me." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and upon the sideboard." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and records." and looked back. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "But not more so than I to find you." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'And what salary do you ask?' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any recover the gem." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William to affect your life." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the outside. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the have an American origin." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his notes," he said. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of there." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." other means.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to there was no need for father to know." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Two days later this same performance was gone through under his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his at my remark. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she to arrive at through this?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." introspective fashion. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" me what he had done with the three missing stones. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on mysterious business." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who here." salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "What then?" "It goes to the housekeeper's room." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror my former friend and companion. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "You have carte blanche." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the infinite languor in his face. to surprise her." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only your equipment. indeed happy." an introduction to him?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital salesman. new acquaintance to Baker Street. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and outbreak?" it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a companion. "Yes." chemical work which was so dear to him. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "And how did he make his money?" reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and you." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his was feeling which was the fattest.' when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "Not I." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their fire. You quite follow me?" I shall communicate with you." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a matter." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was "The gentleman I describe." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Well, but China?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Then I am your man." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "It goes to the housekeeper's room." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers