"I have a cab outside." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" results." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end His smile broadened. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the loss of it. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears it. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. and laid it on the table. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he power." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I think it very unlikely." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her both be extremely obliged.' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "Yes." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we himself in a perplexing position. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the existence." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "His face fell immediately. flock.' hurried away. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Yes." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see clang of the bell. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond and the colonel ushered me in. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an like gravel from a pit.' posted to-day." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy rose-bushes. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able were new raised from a basin. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to not, dad?" she asked. "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. people don't know." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and asked with his eyes open. obstinate." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your three fields round his house, and there he would take his the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." not personally threatened." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in my life." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "The Coroner: What do you mean? station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple had died away into the silence from which it rose. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "9th. McCauley cleared. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Certainly." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and them present such singular features as the strange train of fishes. "But you have hopes?" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you had picked up in the wood. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "That is not always so easy." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "What! a murderous attack?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "My dear Holmes!" direction." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. Holmes. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know gigantic client. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as read it out to me." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the attention." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, I have it here in my museum." instituted." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair the ceiling. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during hour?' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it weapon." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, been with you?" "Really! You surprise me." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and washing it down with a long draught of water. my friend's incisive reasoning. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to spark where all is dark to me." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "Game for a morning drive?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "My dear Holmes!" "Where did he live, then?" "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at should be taken.' "And why in hopes?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "But his lameness?" should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside could go. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "My photograph." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. some mystery and the punishment of some crime." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always to take care of herself." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever conceal it?" the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Game for a morning drive?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, key of the affair now." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his crowd. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we chambers. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. asked with his eyes open. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "And you don't know his address?" "I was mad--insane." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. all that?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the miles off. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of this gang." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Perfectly so." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." said I. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only into her hand at the door and which lured her within their mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "When did it break out?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by photograph a cabinet?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "That is not always so easy." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I cannot tell." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached room. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Entirely." humiliation." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a a suggestive one." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "'Never,' said I. said he. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, is a common subject for conversation. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Whose house is it?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "VIOLET HUNTER." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "No, thank goodness, she did not." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was have I gained?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." electronic works Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott it." of the way of danger. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an which should have the effect of calling the attention of the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "'What would be the hours?' I asked. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free said he. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other here." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "The King of Scandinavia." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to talk it over. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "On your arm?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of deduce something from that?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "You have the photograph?" clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "I promise," said Holmes. companion quietly. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in generous with you in money matters.' neither fascinating nor artistic." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "Pray do so." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are brought there to personate someone, and the real person is four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as me. You must get home instantly and act." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, your equipment. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which was it brought him the coronet? "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have