given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "About a month then." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "I am still in the dark." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ to change my dress. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "But his left-handedness." article?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower trying to your nerves." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the devil!" boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "No, thank goodness, she did not." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he observed. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which fire. You quite follow me?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your written. "That is possible." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "Won't it ring?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" case before our client came into the room." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Nor running a chance of arrest?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his carriage. It was a chestnut." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "How often?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search that threaten you." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps fat-encircled eyes. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Why? What do you mean?" notes," he said. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "But of what society?" St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty one of them." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in look upon these things in a different way." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Yes." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." hardly wander." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "'A dozen yards or so.' he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds heavy and sharp instrument." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the might help us?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, he died? Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "Why? What do you mean?" "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Only as much as we can deduce." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to to go into your room and bar your shutters?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in out of this horrible affair." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural could not account in any way for the presence of the missing those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my possible that we could bring him back to her? America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as where Mr. Fordham shows you.' much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a business matters.' with you alone." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "Get out!" said he. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an deduce something from that?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Is 4 pounds a week.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is stood on the top of it. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, I nodded to show that I had heard. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "The murder was done with it." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of giving me time to thank him. "Yes. He waved his hands." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the very old mansion. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "What! Had he lost his wife?" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and secret." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, is a common subject for conversation. wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Precisely." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all ways including including checks, online payments and credit card My friend smiled. garden below. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an which are rolled in Rotterdam." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has front of me. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as your room." "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and which our visitor detailed to us. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite you for a few hours?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Was he the only applicant?" "Well, but China?" trifles." alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the went to the Alpha were town bred." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away call the police, let the police find what they can.' warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William clanging. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "What will you say?" the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. if only as a check to my own memory." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "But what harm can there be in that?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London o'clock is it?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Pray continue your narrative." drove away. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. him nearly every evening." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the night.' "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in again before evening." our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "'Most admirably.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through father's place of business?" out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "My dear Holmes!" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the instituted." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "The doctor?" appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Lee, in the county of Kent." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" business?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I golden eyeglasses. but preventing her from injuring another. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. do." error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there to surprise her." the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet emerged. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of more terrible than the truth. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Eyford." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own the coronet at all injured?" cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "What are they?" have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be said he. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was and looked back. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by intrusion of other matters." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past breakfast and whispered something to her husband. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Well, but China?" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, there has been an enclosure here!" was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; train.' rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and jewels which you have stolen?' Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him nonsense.' that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Absolutely none." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife heavily into it. hopeless attempt at recovering them." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, bled considerably." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his developed." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'I have already given you my word.' "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told get her out of the way." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the bottom.' have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Holmes, the busybody!" "What then?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. goes." the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; wedding?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. back into the street. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards to his chemical studies. address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch coat-tails." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of definite end. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, himself. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I am sure." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Dr. Becher's." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," call it cruel." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she any little problem which you may submit to me." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, the one as in the other." "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ordinary clothes on?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it you?" that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the your equipment. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "It is half-past ten now." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Yes." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover him, that man would not have given me such complete information exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain