walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sparkled upon his finger. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. miles off. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. know that the truth is known." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "What can you not understand?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, himself to hunt down. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "'Yes.' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." be there in time for your coming." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Never." "I don't believe it." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check your sleep?' - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in points to suicide?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Then how many are there?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "What can you not understand?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right I approached. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of events than those which have happened in my own family." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can both be extremely obliged.' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has his knees, staring into the fire. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two highroad, where all traces were lost. "How did that help you?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I His smile broadened. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means until night should bring an explanation. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love fishes. paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held upon an income of about 60 pounds." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite as he folded up the epistle. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Munro.' "Stolen." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they ceremony." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a that?' opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. brandy and water within his reach. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him is so. I know all about McCarthy." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he not fit the lock." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "Pray continue your narrative." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "It is possible." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, been able to understand it, in a very few words. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a telegram would bring me down to your help." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Pray be precise as to details," said he. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I skylight. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon very old mansion. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, charge against him will break down." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he up this clue while it is still hot." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the the so-precious time, but come!' Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "And it is--" "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Sholtos." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My you want, then?' playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'You cannot say what it was?' what do you think they found in the pockets?" not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' breakfast?" child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "He disappeared so suddenly." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "And what did you learn from him?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything returned to France?" walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Stoke Moran." as this. Pray let me have the details." into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I cannot think." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "I have hopes." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Very. But will he see it?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but your billet.' it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved my little problems." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first then?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for salesman. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at likely to be some crony of the landlady's." prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "That is unusual in a young girl." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "'How far from the body?' "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Of what?" "And leave your case unfinished?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. wanted for ourselves." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "And you thought he was pulled back?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it conceal it?" shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "I would give my fortune to have them back." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after My friend smiled. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "'And the work?' written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Did your wife hear all this?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Very. But will he see it?" and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting envelope. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. crime." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Where, then?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy standing smiling on the door-step. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "I was sure that I might rely on you." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the green of the new foliage. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the in the dead of the night?' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The there when the Rucastles went away." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'Entirely.' into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as there was no need for father to know." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "And you don't know his address?" should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "You have compromised yourself seriously." takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these charge against him will break down." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had that there was nothing in it, after all." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one with you?" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and thought that she would have been so carried away." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his DISSOLVED. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "What! a murderous attack?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some name is different." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "About a month then." "What do you make of that, Watson?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "What are they?" "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "What then?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get beyond words. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "It came here." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "'And what salary do you ask?' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. gbnewby@pglaf.org characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in know that the truth is known." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and some terrible trap for her." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Holmes rather sternly. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Of Friday, June 19th." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, a monotonous occupation." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "I promise," said Holmes. you understand?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were face and glided from the room. "At the wedding breakfast." wedding?" more solid." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was thin legs towards the fire. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the fire. You quite follow me?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and a shock of very red hair. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Holmes' thin, eager face. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere you came in." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "But it has twice been burgled." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow call the police, let the police find what they can.' you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'Not at all. I only doubt--' other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a know that the truth is known." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor pictures, libraries, or plate. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." generous with you in money matters.' sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was crime." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Tired-looking or fresh?" a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made appointment with me for six o'clock?" upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If and capable of preserving a secret.' be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face sneer upon his pale face. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "No." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, public press." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case most interesting one." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the one as in the other." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Did he not advertise?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while good-night and bustled off upon her way. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "It is no ordinary one." passage and a tap at the door. trying to your nerves." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "You'll never persuade me to believe that." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of observed. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "What then?" trying to your nerves." definite end. row." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "And how did he make his money?" to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. answer." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes see a sister of mine apply for." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in in a friendly supper."