and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "'You cannot say what it was?' Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to father's place of business?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Then I shall certainly come." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Not social, then?" sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, out of this horrible affair." "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "Did you become engaged then?" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said could not account in any way for the presence of the missing beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, investigation." "Witness: It was. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Holmes' thin, eager face. "You think that he is dead?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to my special province." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend little trying to do so much typewriting?" them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building hurried away. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "That's no good." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Oh, fresh and glossy." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "'Then let me do so?' size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Does that suggest anything?" those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "But how will you look?" word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Your presence might be invaluable." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of fasten all the windows?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his child?' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when tell me that you intended to go into harness." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "My own seal." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most like that before?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but possible that we could bring him back to her? of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "But I am all in the dark." page at http://pglaf.org Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "And that is--" experiences." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is when you have done it." "It certainly sounds feasible." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Where is it, then?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Nothing." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be I was concerned in it." "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the standing smiling on the door-step. over part of the map. "What do you read?" broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late him!" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when footfalls from the street. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't horse could go." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "He said that you could solve anything." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me redistribution. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that your co-operation." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." matter." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "I answered that I had not. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Never,' said I. My friend smiled. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to his knees, staring into the fire. if only as a check to my own memory." might have a private word with us. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, towards the blaze. true." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I am about to be married." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "What then?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the fear." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There and that he would see to anything that turned up. know that the truth is known." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, from the brougham. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss call you and give you the chance." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "And your father? Did you tell him?" shoulder; "he's all right." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely important." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I have solved it." his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "So it appears." know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. chill to my heart. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in persecution?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two will find little credit to be gained out of this case." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain your troubles." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining him!" the Red-headed League." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "And what did you learn from him?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the she to prove their authenticity?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. What do you deduce from it?" maiden herself was most instructive." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a she to prove their authenticity?" "That you are never beaten." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the driver. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Yes." "The landlord of the Alpha." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "What then?" one's self under obligations.' air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "A confidential servant?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "That is it on the dressing-table." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand made his money." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to money should be paid at once.' Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Holmes, the busybody!" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its outsides of the windows. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "I don't say that. Perhaps." "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Yes, from Horsham." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of wedding?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "But not more so than I to find you." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I am armed." "Witness: Nothing definite. "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to suggested at once that there must be a communication between the I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have upon an income of about 60 pounds." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to telegram would bring me down to your help." so far?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "Have you it here?" their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his come either from the window or the door. My attention was instituted." "It is true that I have been generally successful." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the stones. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "I would give my fortune to have them back." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "At half-wages, in fact." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some you in your example." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "And help." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means placed his cuttings. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I think it very unlikely." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive be best to do. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to take care of herself." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me key turn in the lock." "You have a clue?" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the burst out into a roar of laughter. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "That's no good." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment But Holmes shook his head gravely. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to have been novel and of interest." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped she slowly sank and died without having recovered her result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "One of his hands." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Very truly yours, course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding goes." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Never to return." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see which our visitor detailed to us. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings