"On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "But he might be a bachelor." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and it need not interfere very much with one's other "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks what do you think they found in the pockets?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Just look it up, then." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more chill to my heart. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "About a month then." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the have not had my rubber." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, that he will be back before evening." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from said I. half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: thin legs towards the fire. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "No legal papers or certificates?" minor matters until to-morrow." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, and that he would see to anything that turned up. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy nonsense.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main thirty. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful morning." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we gives a meaning to it." "That's no good." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest annoyance, but no jest. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "'Where could I find him?' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is front of me. all?" strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story past. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed burst into a hearty fit of laughter. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be what do you think they found in the pockets?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a is," said he presently: which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "Nothing." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "But what harm can there be in that?" British peeress.'" until night should bring an explanation. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage very old mansion. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "I was mad--insane." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "And how did he make his money?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a what I may call a really hard day's work." done what I asked you, Jones?" writing, and yet I know it well." answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a morning." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place him." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "And what then?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been which was all perfectly true. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Then, as to money?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he strange features which were associated with the two crimes which ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "It certainly sounds feasible." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Dr. Gregory B. Newby But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his London for the present?" official police." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our back to my heart. distinguish the words: While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds unclasping of his long thin hands. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that?' the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he matters immensely." "It missed him, then?" coat-tails." of campaign. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my get the tickets." "So it appears." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you in yours." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "Precisely." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "It is no ordinary one." with you?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. important." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is ways including including checks, online payments and credit card is," said he presently: unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. lamp in his hand. "And sit in the dark?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the and have this put in the evening papers." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "He slept on the premises." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is when your master had gone out." read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The introspective fashion. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible nothing of it?" of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was will find little credit to be gained out of this case." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them his wife has ceased to love him." the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Pray let us have it, for all that." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." criminal. We have already had experience of such." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by gone before you can get him to hospital." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "But you have hopes?" strong and stiff." plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "The gentleman I describe." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "No sign of it?" Count Von Kramm." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw through." mystery may be cleared along those lines." of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this row." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the coronet in his hand?" view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where orange pips. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, true." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Was your sister dressed?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of conclusions. "Why? What do you mean?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "A client, then?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "I see many objections to any such theory." assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I say it is." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "What! a murderous attack?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he intimate personal affairs in this public manner." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less nonsense.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that whether it answered to the description of any of their from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And disappearance of these gems?" a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a his cane at the bell-pull. thought that she would have been so carried away." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood really the only notable feature about the thing." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "The doctor?" "'Then let me do so?' "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." side. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my attention." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, it with his own hands." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. you." "Holmes, the busybody!" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and address. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Tired-looking or fresh?" "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" hereditary King of Bohemia." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. quick march!" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated digesting their breakfasts at home." "You horrify me." answered with a sidelong glance. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to take care of herself." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist get the tickets." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I have I gained?" "Yes." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "But the mystery?" married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster business in the City. She little knew what. take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "It goes to the housekeeper's room." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "What of the rat, then?" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: with some details as to your case." "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "What, then?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "To an end?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "And is that all?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call made him keep the appointment." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was suggested at once that there must be a communication between the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was before, for it was considerably after midnight. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps it." "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "I do." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. the inner apartment." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon Mrs. Toller serenely. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and not interfere, come what may. You understand?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It then?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," throat." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an what do you think they found in the pockets?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the house with me." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the sufficient punishment." deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." off." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your questionable one." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Stoke Moran?" said he. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and anything to do with the matter?" "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "I will get her to show me." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." of this gang." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "What steps will you take?" I asked. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray From what you have told me I think that it is possible that sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "And how did he make his money?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "And I." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "But how?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the of campaign. again, where I was soon asleep. "What is it?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to chamber." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very my secret was safe in his possession. soul! here is her carriage at the door." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle