Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Entirely." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your his forehead." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and effective." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his voice, changing her seat as requested. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Yes, certainly." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Proceed, then." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper his face which made him a very different person to the round, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." peculiar to him. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" relation between them, and what the object of his repeated watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Again Holmes raved in the air. whereabouts. "I cannot imagine." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "But to whom?" "There is the writing." washing it down with a long draught of water. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, way: "And leave your case unfinished?" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' stood on the top of it. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "The vanishing of the lady." "Proceed, then." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "In heaven's name, what for?" "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out chance at all." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak chamber." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I will not look." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "She showed me, as I told you she would." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. redistribution. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "'Certainly not. But why?' round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises affair. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and where we are going." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "'Oh, no.' saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "He is dead," cried several voices. the night.' contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "It is true that I have been generally successful." "What?" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary grasp, he hurried from the room. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "It goes to the housekeeper's room." few hundred pounds.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "You have carte blanche." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, brain must have something in it." withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable quickly through a disagreeable task. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "About a month then." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. drawing your inferences." what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. he bowed and left the room without another word. "You have a clue?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" an introduction to him?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "And leave your case unfinished?" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or said he, "my real name is James Ryder." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for key turn in the lock." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I was sure that I might rely on you." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on tail." about here speaks of his kindness to him." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Where, then?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "What have you to say now?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very in this way: "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Yes, it would be as well." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "And Miss Sutherland?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "No?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Ten will be early enough." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before head. So long, then!" brain must have something in it." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I whereabouts. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." promised to bring home. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see question. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you for and were ordered to this address. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his American. Then who could this American be, and why should he have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some important." the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his already referred to. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. is entirely a question of barometric pressure." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the matter?" "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel frequently gained my first real insight into the character of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "But not more so than I to find you." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced horse could go." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly thin legs towards the fire. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Then, how do you know?" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and to affect your life." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police hour." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "How did that help you?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You to me. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "On the contrary, this is the right side." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "We have tried and failed." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "What will you say?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other heavily into it. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster giving me time to thank him. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove as yours." her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a events than those which have happened in my own family." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "No more words. Get out!" what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "No, distinctly professional." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." occurred." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no said Mr. Holder. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit October 9, 1890. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I had picked up in the wood. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I say it is." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Were they all fastened this morning?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with For additional contact information: slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "You did not overhear what they said?" "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "I do." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the this unhappy family?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester morning." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my walking." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain disappearance of these gems?" he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and are windows in it, of course?" King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her him and tried to hold him back. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Yes, sir." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he will take you up to see the machine.' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting me upon any point which I do not make clear." reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my seven miles from Eyford Station.' sparkled upon his finger. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Perhaps I have." "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the spare." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the south-west, I see." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Your French gold?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the will he say when he returns?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." indeed which he could not unravel. "The murder was done with it." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Certainly." think, you have already met." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "It is to him that this trophy belongs." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success.