and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "Frequently." be.' ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "And the murderer?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his chambers. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'About the same.' "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried outside." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Nothing." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day newspaper selections." approach us with offers to donate. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. his grey eyes. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it main points of my analysis." me upon any point which I do not make clear." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Certainly." through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project my little problems." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. get her out of the way." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost bill, which interests me deeply." "Stolen, then." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, fattened it expressly for you.' c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Have you her photograph?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the tell them apart.' company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources not as remarkable as your advertisement." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the yourselves in at night?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, recover the gem." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water a very grave face. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I upon a handsome competence. perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to tackle the facts." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, locked. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "No." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I answered that I had not. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will not come at once?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the more terrible than the truth. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the instincts rose up against that laugh. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What is it, then--a fire?" "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom in the dead of the night?' "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was writing, and yet I know it well." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have habit of advancing money.' they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set thirty. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my meanly of me." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked your room." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who nothing with him." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "And when will you call?" approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the was once confined in the cab my mission was practically at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for some water from a caraffe. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a again, where I was soon asleep. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever now. It seems that there had been some informality about their Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one memory. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. felt the room to be a little close.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as said I. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, get her out of the way." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our cost them two and thirty pounds." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's and the whole place is in a blaze." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of which it had come upon my father." thirty. shaken than I had ever seen him. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "But how could you guess what the motive was?" followed. the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which of fine shops and stately business premises that they really Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "But of what society?" paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "That is easily got." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "'In my own bureau.' my little problems." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. opened the door, and slipped through. IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon papers must be those that are destroyed.' known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at to change my dress. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the Does that suggest anything?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned I leave." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of fishes. hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this not personally threatened." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding highroad, where all traces were lost. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among 11:15.' hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Where does the thing come from?' giving me time to thank him. opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "You have a clue?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "One?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the said he. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was everything which you would wish to know." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came tapping his fingers upon the table. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Foundation "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily your sleep?' disappearance of these gems?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and no precautions can guard against." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "You have the photograph?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in shaken than I had ever seen him. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Yes?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in she used." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "No." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "The gentleman I describe." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for late." do you make of it all?" "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "But to whom?" comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain long narrative. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of handed it to him. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in and all of them with the keenest interest. "No?" "And sit in the dark?" secret." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss unprecedented a position." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in prove to be little relation between the different incidents of with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the so-precious time, but come!' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas present." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between there were so many in the whole country as were brought together have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "This photograph!" would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can there were one or two details which were new to me. But the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the bill, which interests me deeply." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which get her out of the way." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "Yes. He waved his hands." hopeless attempt at recovering them." is a common subject for conversation. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Perhaps we may make them less so." hardly wander." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" putting in the horse. said I. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I happened." death." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Well?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "You don't mind breaking the law?" hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Your presence might be invaluable." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "No, finished." "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." fattened it expressly for you.' into the room. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness along the entire front of the house, with three long windows Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Yes, all." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "This concluded the examination of the witness." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the approach us with offers to donate. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a way in." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." existence." realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you hour?' as this. Pray let me have the details." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "And you don't know his address?" had this final quarrel? what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old breakfast?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at before, for it was considerably after midnight. perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your entirely lost his self-respect." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers call for it in person on Monday morning.' Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body very old mansion. "'Certainly,' I answered. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally placed his cuttings. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and to have been novel and of interest." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew business matters.' off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "This photograph!" done what I asked you, Jones?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "And why?" note?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for ran thus: Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears