"You'll never persuade me to believe that." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And why in hopes?" when your master had gone out." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises friends, not even his own brother. and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Then I am your man." there when the Rucastles went away." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, your billet.' 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" acquaintance?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" better grown goose." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a away to you." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he Henry Baker is a member." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your front of the hall door has given its name to the place. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So fact, we may call it conclusive." "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle shoulder. be sorry for having acted so harshly." shall use the carriage to-night." pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to upon the sideboard." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "When did it break out?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, you." "Where to?" entirely devoid of interest." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "What! Had he lost his wife?" slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what back to my heart. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with yards of it?' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that which was all perfectly true. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I help us in this matter." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send not as remarkable as your advertisement." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in himself to tell his story. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power case-book, which he consulted. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "You saw the ventilator, too?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "By no means." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable again on its way. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to photograph a cabinet?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case London for the present?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Well, it is a possible supposition." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Yes, sir.' When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face persecution?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his respectable self." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "'Yes, sir.' allusion to a rat. have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the matter." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no existence." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he reach." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we Lestrade of Scotland Yard." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have The telegram which we eventually received came late one night exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from prisoner's face. "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "This concluded the examination of the witness." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining heavily into it. not, dad?" she asked. "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally Doctor, of the paper and the date." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, behind me. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own just ask you whether you had heard it.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we digesting their breakfasts at home." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which politicians who had been sent down from the North. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "It is solved." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. to-morrow." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "Tired-looking or fresh?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night answer." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his be there in time for your coming." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the the loss of it. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "But how did you gain them?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "There are none." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which learned something! Where are the gems?" member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming once more. Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough will be renamed. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "No, finished." Sholtos." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. straighten it?" results." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and is now desirous of getting those letters back." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Entirely." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "I think it very unlikely." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and all of them with the keenest interest. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "'Yes, it was gone.' story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes said I. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from people don't know." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to as noiselessly as she had come. "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "VIOLET HUNTER." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his guilty one." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to your sleep?' "I cannot tell." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, some water from a caraffe. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' face and glided from the room. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "So I am. Very much so." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. directors, with the result that you have seen." way in." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Quite so. She has her freedom." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Precisely." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly was the fact that his father should, according to his account, corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a himself. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his was feeling which was the fattest.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "'Never,' said I. only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. your Highness to the police-station?" is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be again on its way. weary and pale-looking. convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. to have that photograph." least a most suspicious remark." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "'Quite sure, dad.' the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that several quiet little villages up there." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it whereabouts. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "I see many objections to any such theory." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of is worth.' Leadenhall Street--and--" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "No, thank goodness, she did not." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, his cane at the bell-pull. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I forebodings. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. stalked out of the room. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then is now desirous of getting those letters back." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' believe that I should never have any practice at all. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any lectures into a series of tales." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "What then?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow matter." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry writers could invent nothing more crude." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a retorted upon me, and I on you." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a and laid it on the table. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Have you it here?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think had a long day." "Look there!" said he. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my over here." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." chance at all." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment salesman. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to brought there to personate someone, and the real person is ordinary clothes on?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. you?' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three which should have the effect of calling the attention of the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. fire. You quite follow me?" "Very truly yours, "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst.,