his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Nothing?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook is four-and-twenty." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of detained." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is been shamefully used." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that like that before?" observed. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "How can you tell that?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "And how did he make his money?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." there!' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a over with notes and figures. "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was conclusions. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking over with notes and figures. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I entirely lost his self-respect." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fait accompli?" trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. must compliment you." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "It's nothing of the kind." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to instituted." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few depend upon my doing so.' always that they were such commands as a lady might with case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "Really! You surprise me." "It is possible." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. most interesting one." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. lamp. plantation.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully infinite languor in his face. details." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few to have that photograph." "Absolutely?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I I am not easy in my mind about them." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose chambers. that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little galvanised. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life use an arc-and-compass breastpin." absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' bedroom door." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. You want to know what became of those geese?" Countess of Morcar's?" out." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in of Mr. Rucastle's." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we maid will bring up your coffee." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "What is it?" the very morning of the wedding." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Well." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis one's self under obligations.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the stable lane now." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line then?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out sneer upon his pale face. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to for securing the situation." "By all means." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn that I am arrested." "But his lameness?" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Yes, that is the Crown." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by details." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." crime." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior standing smiling on the door-step. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point absolutely follow my advice in every respect." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "'Certainly not. But why?' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Very well, sir. And this stone?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these brain must have something in it." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the see me here to avoid scandal." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to sit on the left-hand side of the driver." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Pray do so." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece generous with you in money matters.' in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Yes, the wine-cellar." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. outside. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called which was all perfectly true. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "The vanishing of the lady." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Where is it, then?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "What will you do, then?" Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he Munro.' of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the and I shall be with you presently." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, narrative." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the look dissatisfied." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my there when the Rucastles went away." out of this horrible affair." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "It may not come to that," said Holmes. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very beyond words. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the warnings." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "9th. McCauley cleared. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of the one which your family is now devouring." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "I have solved it." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in again, where I was soon asleep. any more." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "And on what day did he meet his death?" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the might have a private word with us. "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." Cross for the Continent." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my former friend and companion. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, instituted." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "You are hungry," I remarked. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe envelope. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Yes, I have one waiting." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "But to whom?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "I cannot imagine." which our visitor detailed to us. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "The murder was done with it." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'As governess?' tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "Yes." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." It may be so in this case, also." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be away to you." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? was used.' you." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." nothing with him." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Never to return." The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed It was close upon four before the door opened, and a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in The note was undated, and without either signature or address. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 done what I asked you, Jones?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect he bowed and left the room without another word. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Game for a morning drive?" in a very precise fashion." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of look dissatisfied." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. cigars in the box." should be so warm over such a trifle." as he remarks, very much against the son." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard closely." think that any burglar could have done. which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest respectable self." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you or in danger--" slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The even of instruction." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and have this put in the evening papers." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "In heaven's name, what for?" them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely about. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "What is it?"