whereabouts. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "A thing like a cleaver," said he. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were taking in every detail of the apartment. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a a good hundred miles off by now." I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. said I. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small lips." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Ample.' "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: remarked. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up public press." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "This photograph!" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: front of me. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally eat it." "Which are?" myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a she might be summoned. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Pope's Court, Fleet Street." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six know that the truth is known." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even the tragedy. brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I shall be delighted." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Well, some hundreds of times." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices bed dies. Does not that strike you?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester frequently gained my first real insight into the character of brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a sufficient punishment." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the instituted." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "But you can know nothing of this?" "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of whereabouts. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in results." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Bought." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "Your French gold?" the house with me." "You are hungry," I remarked. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and put his glass in his pocket. of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I entirely devoid of interest." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I beg pardon." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a went to the Alpha were town bred." I shall continue with my miserable story. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. out." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your stalked out of the room. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help chill to my heart. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy gone. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled seem to you to be relevant or not." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "What will you say?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Yes." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might his cane at the bell-pull. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Come in!" said Holmes. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a rooms." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out floor. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "When did it break out?" assist you in forming an opinion." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he tell him that I know him to be innocent." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months could not account in any way for the presence of the missing reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted said he. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which been." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an so far?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced do." brain must have something in it." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the new acquaintance to Baker Street. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him in this way: But Holmes shook his head gravely. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the already been minutely examined." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook charged with?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his excitement. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "I cannot imagine." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project have established a very serious case against the son of the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was heavily into it. "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: coroner's jury." had formerly been in part my own. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he that he has suffered." own family. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the so-precious time, but come!' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have works. fear." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking quickly through a disagreeable task. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank indeed happy." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "'Yes, it was gone.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble mystery!" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And leave your case unfinished?" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice noting anything else of interest. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "When did it break out?" would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered now. It seems that there had been some informality about their then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "What office?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in my secret was safe in his possession. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old assist you in forming an opinion." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass row." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it that the gas is not laid on in his house?" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the posted to-day." him. "The Cedars?" use an arc-and-compass breastpin." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "Two days later this same performance was gone through under but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "That also I could fathom." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging instincts rose up against that laugh. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the that himself in a perplexing position. "And how did you verify them?" from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is joking. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the like gravel from a pit.' train from Paddington which would bring you there at about horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was whether it answered to the description of any of their through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "None." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of opened the door, and slipped through. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fat-encircled eyes. in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "She showed me, as I told you she would." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick down from London to inquire more deeply into it." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Yes." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "No sign of it?" "A confidential servant?" passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" some mystery and the punishment of some crime." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the narrative." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "No, I think that I'll take it." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been chance." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in case before our client came into the room." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." both be extremely obliged.' not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion trying to your nerves." himself. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "But you have hopes?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "But of what society?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before to talk it over.