Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell quick march!" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might my friend's incisive reasoning. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his unkempt, staring out at me. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "Yes." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "When did it break out?" "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable people don't know." Foundation fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "And why?" breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "My dear Holmes!" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "And what did you learn from him?" "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there geese which you supplied to the Alpha." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. case before our client came into the room." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of his face which made him a very different person to the round, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "Pray do so." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a politicians who had been sent down from the North. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the she used." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "So it appears." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. notes," he said. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' laugh and put his lips to my ear. "No, I think that I'll take it." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in little adventures." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "By train from Waterloo." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the his grey eyes. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then such attractions and accomplishments?' derbies." was already answered. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions allusion to a rat. to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "You heard nothing yourself last night?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Just look it up, then." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he entirely lost his self-respect." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "This concluded the examination of the witness." married her." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. fact, we may call it conclusive." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "And how?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. fuss that is made over them." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey learned something! Where are the gems?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Not I." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot if I call to-morrow?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his if only as a check to my own memory." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. time." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. as this. Pray let me have the details." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "You have the photograph?" to have been novel and of interest." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the generous with you in money matters.' himself. a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of really the only notable feature about the thing." "And I to find an enemy." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." joking. "I see no marks." looking up at the numbers of the houses." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I see many objections to any such theory." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I am all attention, madam." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "It missed him, then?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Nothing." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an and the colonel ushered me in. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I am all attention, madam." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is his grey eyes. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as cigars in the box." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Murdered?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some placed his cuttings. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "What do you make of that, Watson?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Your French gold?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had I have it here in my museum." "I promise," said Holmes. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress together. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a his face which made him a very different person to the round, mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had allusion to a rat. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my been shamefully used." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." formed some opinion?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation absolutely follow my advice in every respect." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may humiliation." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or you, my dear young lady?' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" know that the truth is known." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Holmes, the busybody!" tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "My stepfather's business papers." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said trifles." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than him to be an active member of the medical profession." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "The rest you will leave in our hands." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "You think so, too?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "My stepfather's business papers." you, my dear young lady?' "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. beyond words. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "Yes, I have one waiting." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black of receipt of the work. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "What then?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Yes, that is the Crown." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "Nearly eleven." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just outside. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had dead, shall be safe with us." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, for securing the situation." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "And how did you find out?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich into her hand at the door and which lured her within their The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "No more words. Get out!" have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it was a perfect sample of the class. remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the any." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "And what then?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Precisely so. But how--" "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual salesman. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Yes, it was twisted." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with delirious. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian jewels which you have stolen?' honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged touch that coronet?' head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "I am all attention, madam." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Here?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 peculiar to him. both be extremely obliged.' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "But the mystery?" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE digesting their breakfasts at home." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to nonsense.' "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "Your sister is dead, then?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "By all means." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you sentimental considerations in the background which would induce all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "What will you do, then?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Nothing?" along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not of campaign. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." you?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the it. wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Only as much as we can deduce." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I I held the little printed slip to the light. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do begun to whiten, even as mine has." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to she used." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Thank you. And your address?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." your billet.' upon the sideboard." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds throat." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel the Friday. Was it to be in church?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "It is no ordinary one." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve together. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "Yes, at the mines." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before yards of it?' perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And you can do nothing until then?" the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our look upon these things in a different way." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do sound at heart." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the affair. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "And how did he make his money?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which coroner's jury." "I have a cab outside." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. look upon these things in a different way." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much I nodded again. remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew