has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are tell him that I know him to be innocent." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right and have this put in the evening papers." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "It must be recovered." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "To the police?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to if she died from some sudden fright." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. humiliation." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "Dark enough and sinister enough." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "Where to?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "What I expected to see." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' gigantic client. "I see many objections to any such theory." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "The King of Scandinavia." yet." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most crime." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter that threaten you." meanly of me." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour something of him before." "Did you become engaged then?" "'I have heard so.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, later, upon the night of May 2nd." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. kindly on the shoulder. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "But you were on a friendly footing?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to as yours." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Nothing." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "An accident, I presume?" last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his his forehead." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us hopeless attempt at recovering them." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin mystery." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "In heaven's name, what for?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" have had none more fantastic than this." "One of the highest in England." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how compunction about shooting them down." "Married! When?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall Lestrade of Scotland Yard." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Did your wife hear all this?" black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the intrusion of other matters." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest our word." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "That is it on the dressing-table." once more to my work. that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Why, it's a dummy," said he. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon face and glided from the room. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Yes, he did." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two of this gang." "She will not sell." outbreak?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Munro.' not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would to talk it over. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the my former friend and companion. "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant be best to do. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "Certainly." "I cannot imagine." Count Von Kramm." find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had served to weaken the effect. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "Oh, yes, easily." do you make of it all?" my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Of what day?" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should could go. that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "But how will you look?" rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of and I shall be with you presently." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "BALLARAT." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'I have heard so.' have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." leaning back in his chair. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "My stepfather's business papers." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "You are certainly joking, Holmes." morning." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in locked. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "I was mad--insane." "He slept on the premises." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Yes." "Then how many are there?" was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Now, then, what's the last entry?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would awaited us upon the table. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I to a light-house. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "How did that help you?" and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a be there in time for your coming." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, indeed which he could not unravel. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "But of what society?" promised to bring home. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke touch that coronet?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "Get out!" said he. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still him. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to death." "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do take the flies, but not before." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Then I shall certainly come." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to to affect your life." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT comes from the middle window." over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Indeed! Whose, then?" "No, I am descending." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would better grown goose." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to chambers. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." My friend smiled. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate delighted to hear it," he said. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I think that I had better go, Holmes." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is and files of the old papers, following the future career of every held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand call for it in person on Monday morning.' had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "But I have heard all that you have heard." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his highroad, where all traces were lost. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort bird I ate is country bred." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from house for five minutes.' have accepted such a situation. address. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very relation between them, and what the object of his repeated heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the tragedy. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Holmes' face clouded over. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to public press." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Was there a secret marriage?" salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All photograph?" "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no appeared upon the scene." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his out of this horrible affair." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in coat-tails." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and sound at heart." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with me have 200 pounds?' then?" introspective fashion. I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was a lad." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Nothing?" "Who by?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Yes, they were peculiar boots." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." http://www.gutenberg.net "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. your only hope of safety." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil know all about it," he snarled. "He might." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in started for the Temple to see my husband. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. he. a room. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Yes." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Do you go out much in society?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "You horrify me!" "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian shaken than I had ever seen him. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "I was mad--insane." light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in his wife has ceased to love him." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so strong and stiff." "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "No more words. Get out!" It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, forebodings. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "'Most admirably.' house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Entirely." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "In which, sir?" "Was there a secret marriage?" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would