Holmes' room. placed his cuttings. unclasping of his long thin hands. "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the time." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at had died away into the silence from which it rose. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and be. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known telegram would bring me down to your help." look upon these things in a different way." "Imitated." stammered. him." you?" quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Yes." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "And the murderer?" the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt questionable one." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this and effective." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for one's self under obligations.' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "At what time?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards your billet.' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "And you don't know his address?" "To an end?" You want to know what became of those geese?" fish-monger and a tide-waiter." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but the devil!" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Literary Archive Foundation self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Yes." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "No, I think that I'll take it." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have to where he stood hid behind the curtain. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And now?" I asked. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be disturbance in my wife." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had said he. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Holmes, the busybody!" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That better grown goose." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Will you go?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what been deceived." points to suicide?" them, and came down just as you departed. worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been had a long day." "And now?" I asked. particular state visit http://pglaf.org road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on mystery may be cleared along those lines." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into definite end. is now desirous of getting those letters back." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "But how?" wanted for ourselves." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "You horrify me." hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. jewels which you have stolen?' off." was feeling which was the fattest.' which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to south, for the country is more deserted there." eavesdroppers?' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Pope's Court, Fleet Street." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "What then?" exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "But to whom?" "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and himself in a perplexing position. the inquest, and which are worth considering." "Yes, from Horsham." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "Did he not advertise?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "My dear Holmes!" "Then you may be so with me." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last easy-going way." turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my sneer upon his pale face. which was all perfectly true. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I interests were the same as his." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to the loss of it. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "'I am sure that I do not know.' deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Where, then?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Were they all fastened this morning?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I would pay ten." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came suspect him." forbidden door. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate him nearly every evening." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of round and wave him away like that.' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with 1.F. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. possible that we could bring him back to her? "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is solved." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Well, but China?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was in his hands." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Not yet." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and with you alone." business." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Do you go out much in society?" "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to of the one which your family is now devouring." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to seem to you to be relevant or not." suddenly upon us." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Arthur Conan Doyle she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said gigantic client. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured used to be." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, crowd. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are south, for the country is more deserted there." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It is no ordinary one." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "How on earth--" made his money." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "My photograph." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he you?" inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the and that he would see to anything that turned up. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have had no one to advise her at such a crisis." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Why did you beat the pavement?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next fear." to Leatherhead. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Was he the only applicant?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "What! You do not mean bodies?" lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out You want to know what became of those geese?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But definite end. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to Edgeware Road. the station." call for it in person on Monday morning.' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up the coronet in his hands?" have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to the Red-headed League." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "I cannot say that I have." thin legs towards the fire. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. very morning of my second wedding." "It is his hat." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I prisoner's face. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself and inquire as to the address." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Why, what do you mean?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, interests were the same as his." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works upon the sideboard." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom him!" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Yes, there are nearly always some there." there in twenty minutes." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in matter over." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. jewels which you have stolen?' It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should place of silver." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the do." "Thank you. And your address?" eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 you." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "But I have heard all that you have heard." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that shall not find me ungrateful." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every rooms." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for bachelor.' "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. any little problem which you may submit to me." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "It is half-past ten now." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible detained." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had fear." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You have a clue?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the cigar and let me expound." trying to your nerves." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without unprecedented a position." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it