day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while o'clock is it?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "No, finished." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get my special province." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the in darkness. served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "You don't mind breaking the law?" off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." call for it in person on Monday morning.' and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the at home. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was to surprise her." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort had formerly been in part my own. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Not in a good cause." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your pictures, libraries, or plate. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign any little problem which you may submit to me." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean everything which you would wish to know." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for that threaten you." time." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. have had none more fantastic than this." "On your arm?" sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Come in!" said Holmes. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I here." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the depend upon my doing so.' mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "No, I had a dozen." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in my friend's incisive reasoning. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay make me his representative both with the servants and with the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, to-night's adventure." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook to-night's adventure." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the outside. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are several quiet little villages up there." "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as London for the present?" "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "One of his hands." "How did he come?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived you in yours." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Certainly, madam." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He round and wave him away like that.' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we congenial hunt. you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Game for a morning drive?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "In which, sir?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'Certainly not. But why?' refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "And help." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did has little to do with my story." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such less than 26s. 4d. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a ceremony." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included door?" paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own a suggestive one." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking crime." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One crowd. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous persecution?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked relief. out." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. chambers. detained." were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the better grown goose." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a of." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the bed, and you in that chair." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "On your arm?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying certainly not very gracious." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Who was the criminal, then?" of them has the shutters up.' is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I voice. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that weighed down with some great anxiety. business." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been 1.E.9. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. congratulate you again." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hopeless attempt at recovering them." "But I am all in the dark." of Mr. Rucastle's." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" should be so warm over such a trifle." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon if I call to-morrow?" entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Where, then?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I now. It seems that there had been some informality about their for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Thank you. Pray proceed." McCarthy's innocence. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your room. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you people in all walks of life. some terrible trap for her." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before introspective fashion. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And you thought he was pulled back?" As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the best of training." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "Well, it is a possible supposition." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "What can you not understand?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all more solid." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "Yes." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "'Never,' said I. "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She man. I know him from the photograph." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a once more on the important position which you have been fortunate assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Literary Archive Foundation how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture again." works. all?" light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to memory. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between go--none." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Absolutely?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was beg that you will break it off." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save the room while you explain this matter?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable acted in my house last night?" 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Eyford." her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And for present expenses?" Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to which are rolled in Rotterdam." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Yes, sir.' he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it bonnet, and went out." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I would apply.' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "The King of Scandinavia." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see annoyance, but no jest. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Oh, no.' glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father burst out into a roar of laughter. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But your client--" Where does the thing come from?' simple cases which are so extremely difficult." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang Pope's Court. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that I am not easy in my mind about them." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot with frightened eyes at his accuser. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "No, finished." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while relief. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made the very morning of the wedding." been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that with some details as to your case." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six points in connection with it which never have been, and probably you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue his face. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." made him keep the appointment." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Where did you address your letters, then?" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I think that it is very probable." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to may have an influence upon European history." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question politicians who had been sent down from the North. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "What do you make of that, Watson?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person said he. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with pressing in one house as in another. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very into the bag, and made for the door. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were nonsense.' had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Holmes' face clouded over. the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "It is very kind of you." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Then I do not see the point." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged could go. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "Breckinridge is his name." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, chair. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, thought that she would have been so carried away." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I am following you closely," I answered. letters?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and effective." "'Never,' said I. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with