precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior were new raised from a basin. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." will take you up to see the machine.' at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a if she died from some sudden fright." stepfather?" stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "No." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "What do you make of that, Watson?" is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "You horrify me!" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "It is possible." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back wedding?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up morning." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed nice household for a young lady." which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become enter Dr. Roylott's room." constraint." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him someone who had been in Australia." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your his fortune, and I went back to pa. "When did she vanish, then?" assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that roused himself from his reverie. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, go back?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I details." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his it." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. said he. gone. "'A dozen yards or so.' 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the said I. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the something of him before." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the disappearance of these gems?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy imbecility!" he cried. "I think that it is very probable." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think then?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower feature." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her hurried away. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the highroad, where all traces were lost. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence character. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No, thank goodness, she did not." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed "My dear Holmes!" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" keep the flames under. was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom been lifted and conveyed somewhere." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had one of the states of the Union." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "I fear not." empty. until night should bring an explanation. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "I guessed as much." "Will you bet, then?" when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project attention." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An not as remarkable as your advertisement." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions stammered. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a seem to you to be relevant or not." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is happened." Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Upon what point?" it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in along the entire front of the house, with three long windows the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary over part of the map. "What do you read?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to you?" innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings see a sister of mine apply for." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "No, I am descending." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "I see no marks." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue me. springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread she used." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "But who is he?" I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour of your young ladies.' It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped into her hand at the door and which lured her within their might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. national property. I was determined that the law should have its Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Serpentine Avenue. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "An accident, I presume?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for gentleman's clothes. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the burst out into a roar of laughter. "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of it with the greatest attention. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "No bad?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does character. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while daring than any effort of the imagination." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he against a man in the prime of life?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Absolutely none." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a your most interesting statement." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a matter." "I am sure." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence back alive. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "On your arm?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the one's self under obligations.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of stood on the top of it. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we enough to aid us in our search." "Texas, I think." is worth.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Yes." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Nothing?" upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There infinite languor in his face. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to certainly not very gracious." events, Mr. Windibank!" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Thank you. And your address?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he strength in the others." "Certainly." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must that, and I came down." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the I leave." "And did you observe any change in her then?" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name out." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied fear." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Can I be of assistance?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable that "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "In heaven's name, what for?" "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My your Highness to the police-station?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of question," said Holmes, smiling. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I promise," said Holmes. "Not in a good cause." "Yes, only one." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who noble correspondent could be. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery pity, because in other respects you would really have done very reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study several quiet little villages up there." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I voice. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the station." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face such person." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the his face. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it forehead. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no wedding?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "When did she vanish, then?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it had this final quarrel? the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella you." for and were ordered to this address. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as secret." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. a monotonous occupation." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my out." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. directly by questioning you." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "None." "I have my revolver," said I. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the side-table." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "He slept on the premises." friend's singular character. have got?" lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen your Highness to the police-station?" all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "But not more so than I to find you." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round presume?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Yesterday." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without better in every way that they should make their position a little showing my impatience. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended hour?' mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake