shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." own family. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was than was visible to me." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed over his head with a sweet womanly caress. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for shoulder; "he's all right." lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "But we can't all be." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much strode off upon his way. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my back into the street. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between your Highness to the police-station?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the detained." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, highroad, where all traces were lost. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few Sutherland. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "I do." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I words came to my lips. "What shall I do?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Yes, sir." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Certainly." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the to affect your life." awkward doing business with an alias." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting tail." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to legal crime." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." the ceiling. the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the tragedy. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that it." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Dr. Becher's." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father some mystery and the punishment of some crime." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in to me. to change my dress. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee himself in a perplexing position. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Yes, certainly." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "And from a noble client?" Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Sutherland. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Certainly, madam." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, you came in." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sooner or later she must fall a victim. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "I don't say that. Perhaps." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is voice, changing her seat as requested. seen the man in the road." For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to one else, I think." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is true that I have been generally successful." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." light and attacked it." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "'Which dealer's?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a you." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which Gutenberg-tm License. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable photograph a cabinet?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "My dear Holmes!" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of this gang." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a Street. "Breckinridge is his name." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "You were travelling in the States?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter all-comprehensive glances. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. would apply.' have one." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "She walked into the breakfast-room." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "To the police?" Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "And for present expenses?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the station." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "I was mad--insane." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Very truly yours, Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of could not have written that. It is the German who is so take the flies, but not before." "My dear Holmes!" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." future lives." fatally injured? family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "My dear Holmes!" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our your equipment. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." it means?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his him!" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "How did he come?" the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had it." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's more terrible than the truth. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the coroner come to?" returned to France?" wanted for ourselves." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I cannot think." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to a room. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "Pray do so." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Was the window open?" must compliment you." south, for the country is more deserted there." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The landlord of the Alpha." bare slabs of marble. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter families. Now for the facts. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up showing my impatience. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about went to the Alpha were town bred." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Then he might have called to you?" self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord ventilator." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "Was there a secret marriage?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Certainly." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the advice." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to vault. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more spare." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "I should be immensely obliged to you." must compliment you." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. fashion which was peculiar to him. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, companion quietly. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be to-night." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Certainly, madam." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Nothing." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a in darkness. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "9th. McCauley cleared. the bed, and you in that chair." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had foot. your billet.' of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "One of the highest in England." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain your most interesting statement." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "It goes to the housekeeper's room." King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her This is what he says: I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich corner of the building. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup was keenly on my guard against him. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until Project Gutenberg-tm works. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious everything which you would wish to know." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the awaited us upon the table. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "What steps will you take?" I asked. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent the bottom.' with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "But you can know nothing of this?" "Proceed, then." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Does that suggest anything?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I cannot tell." "And the murderer?" as he folded up the epistle. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another