of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I "I don't believe it." "I am in hopes that she does." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are cheerful." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "To the police?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was closely." believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up opportunities to fix the problem. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a strength." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "I fear not." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Cross for the Continent." Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was lectures into a series of tales." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot gbnewby@pglaf.org "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see away to you." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted back into the street. success. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped following enigmatical notices: "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than room?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and salesman. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may them?" "Yes, only one." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me tightly behind him. strength in the others." which I could not give. He asked for Alice. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. upon a handsome competence. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Not yet." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure o'clock is it?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." leave you to your papers for a little." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Witness: It was. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Can I be of assistance?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the green of the new foliage. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I your bag." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "None." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that From what you have told me I think that it is possible that delighted to hear it," he said. "You are all wrong." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and within hail.' "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As works. "No, I think that I'll take it." "I never have." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." noble correspondent could be. "That is it on the dressing-table." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I prove to be little relation between the different incidents of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I have solved it." "Yes, all." through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if this man was intellectual?" "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction mysterious end." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his during that time.' her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Why did you beat the pavement?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Witness: I must still refuse. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite national property. I was determined that the law should have its My friend smiled. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your particular state visit http://pglaf.org to-night." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his matters immensely." and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been round and wave him away like that.' written. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Never." As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "I see no marks." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "'You doubt its value?' he asked. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "My private note-paper." ran thus: to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "And is that all?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Was there a secret marriage?" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in do.' description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "And for present expenses?" always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Then I shall certainly come." "Yes, he did." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no definite end. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I when you have done it." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I assure you that I am in your hands." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply than to us. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over without a word or a look. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, think that any burglar could have done. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water call for it in person on Monday morning.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I assure you that I am in your hands." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor head. So long, then!" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian page at http://pglaf.org again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Surrey." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms your bag." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, your own bird, so if you wish--" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "To an English lawyer named Norton." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as in your London, you will know that the office of the company is recover the gem." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction people don't know." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before in this note: the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "No, but the enclosure is." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You father's place of business?" stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the ashen face. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." your only hope of safety." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, noise which awoke you from your sleep?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had six. Come in!" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the that he has suffered." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to tackle the facts." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, until night should bring an explanation. "'A dozen yards or so.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the chance." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "You are all wrong." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are possible that we could bring him back to her? eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" on in his house." Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I have a cab outside." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "We must have a cab." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, my former friend and companion. late." "On Monday." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to ready to-morrow?' "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was a perfect sample of the class. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I should wish to." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I am all attention, madam." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two guilty parties." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer upon the sideboard." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "At the wedding breakfast." pressing in one house as in another. habit of advancing money.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "One?" "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I all?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "He might." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "'Where could I find him?' "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless official police." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "Then the page we have seen--" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated the night.' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange possible that we could bring him back to her? housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin presented more singular features than that which was associated "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told be sorry for having acted so harshly." Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "We were both in the photograph." my secret was safe in his possession. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little pound a week." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the head. So long, then!" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Well, some hundreds of times." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The than was visible to me." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "That is unusual in a young girl." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "And Irene Adler?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You don't mind breaking the law?" astonishment. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, fear." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "ARAT," I read. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "The landlord of the Alpha." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. them present such singular features as the strange train of "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "That is possible." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case get the tickets." "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and are windows in it, of course?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found passage and a tap at the door. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Nearly eleven." of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story